During the period between Passover and the holiday of Shavuot, there is a unique commandment to Count the Omer – to count each of the 49 days, seven weeks, from the second day of Passover, until Shavuot. Inspired by this Jewish concept of counting the days of the Omer, we will explore the connection between counting and making things count. We will find ways to count the days the captives have been held in captivity, and use our counting as a way to raise awareness of their plight.
We’re in the midst of summer camp season, and we encourage camp counselors and staff to run activities with their campers on behalf of the hostages. In memory of Omer Neutra. His story can inspire reflection and action.
We launched this entire project on the 100th day of captivity. We hoped and prayed each day since then that we would no longer need it, that it would become a part of our past. We never imagined that it would take so long, but we also did not give up on the hope that this moment would come.
Joyous Return
On October 13, 2025, on the eve of Simhat Torah, 738 days after they were abducted, the last twenty live hostages were returned to Israel from Gaza, as part of the Trump initiated Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement (after other hostages were returned at earlier points, through various deals and agreements, as well as some through military action). After days and days of expressing hope and taking action, in many different ways, Israelis, Jews around the world and concerned humans everywhere saw their hopes and dreams of hostages returning home, alive, come true. It was a moment that felt almost too good to be true. It was a moment people had prayed and hoped for, and taken action to make a reality. It was because people, both lay and leaders, did not despair or give up, that it actually became a reality.
It’s Not Over Yet
Tragically, not all the hostages had this happy end. Many were killed in captivity by Hamas, throughout the two years since they were abducted. Some were accidentally killed in captivity by Israeli military action. We see, love and support all of the family and loved ones of those who did not return home, and share in their deep excruciating pain. There are still 3 deceased hostages in Gaza, who, to date, were not returned for burial in Israel, despite the deal including all hostages- live and deceased. We continue to hope and pray that they will all be returned soon, for proper Jewish burial, and that their families will have the closure they need.
The Power of Visualization
One way people expressed their hope was by envisioning what it might actually look like to have them come home. How would it look? How would it feel? What would we say? In this resource, we explore the power of hope from a Jewish perspective and the importance of giving shape and form to our vision of a better reality in the future. Using text, artwork and videos, we share examples of images that became a reality (as well as some that have not. Yet.) Through these images, we invite you to encourage your learners to visualize their hopes and dreams for a better future.
