Reform Jewish Leaders Condemn the Murder of Six Hostages by Hamas in Gaza

“A cry is heard in Ramah—wailing, bitter weeping—Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children, who are gone.”  Jeremiah 31:15  

We join with millions around the world, including the tens of thousands of Israelis currently pouring into the streets, who are expressing their grief and anger over the murders of six hostages at the hands of Hamas – Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, and Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi, and Alexander Lobanov. 

Earlier this year, Hersh’s mother, Rachel, spoke to our Reform movement about her beloved son. No mother could have been a more passionate, articulate, and dedicated champion for her child. Rachel and her husband, Jon, have been unrelenting in their advocacy for Hersh and the other hostages taken on October 7. In their powerful speech at the DNC last week, the Goldberg-Polins shared with millions of Americans their love for their son and their pain and anguish over the suffering of the hostages along with the civilians in Gaza.  

The murder of these six innocent people was an act of savage cowardice. The pure, unmitigated evil of Hamas, on display to the world in the killing of 1200 people, the abduction of 250 others, and the torture and sexual assault of hundreds more on October 7th, must be unequivocally condemned. This latest act of brutality and violence only serves to cause more suffering for both Israelis and the innocent Gazans living under Hamas’s violent control. 

At this moment of terrible tragedy, we reiterate our strong call for Prime Minister Netanyahu to heed the voices of the hostages' families and the millions of Israeli citizens calling on him to not leave the remaining hostages behind and, instead, negotiate for a new ceasefire and hostage deal. Every minute the hostages remain in captivity threatens their chances of survival.  
No more families should suffer the pain felt today by the Goldberg-Polins and the families of Carmel, Eden, Ori, Almog, and Alexander.

The memories of those murdered by Hamas will be a blessing, always. We pray for comfort for the bereaved and strength for the hostages still held captive.