Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
The yellow ribbon pin became a ubiquitous symbol for solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas.
Like most synagogues, Congregation Beth El in South Orange, New Jersey added new rituals after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that killed 1,200 in Israel, saw another 251 taken hostage and launched a grinding war between Israel and Hamas.
The Conservative congregation hung a "bring them home now" sign out front on behalf of the hostages. Rabbi Jesse Olitzky added the "Acheinu" prayer for redeeming captives to the weekly Shabbat service, and each week read the biography of a hostage. As the war raged on, the congregation sang songs of peace.
There and elsewhere, congregants wore yellow hostage ribbo...
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