Over the past 11 months, coming together in public to call for the return of the hostages has become second nature to us. But this time it was different.
This time, there was no loudspeaker, no chanting and little sense of hope.
Less than 24 hours after hearing the devastating news of the murder of hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 27, Alexander Lobanov, 32 and Ori Danino, 25, killed by Hamas in captivity, we stood together in the quiet of the Hendon Park’s memorial garden, some of us speaking in hushed voices, some of us weeping, and all of us feeling the need to be together in our grief.
Hostages murdered in Hamas captivity, (clockwise from top left) Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi and Hersh Goldberg-Polin (Photo:Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
Describing it as “the most difficult day” the Jewish community has had since hearing about the accidental killing of three hostages in December, social media activist Jonny Daniels, who was visiting from Israel, said: “All of us woke up to the incredibly sad news that the six hostages, who we hoped and prayed would come home, were killed by Hamas.
“We were all shattered. Our hearts were broken, and we wondered what on earth we could do, how we move forward from times like these.”
But, said Daniels, as a people, “we have survival in our DNA. We are a nation of survivors…this is the strength of the Jewish people. And that strength, which got us through the past, will get us through the days ahead and through the months ahead.”
We heard about each of the hostages who was murdered. Nivi Feldman, co-lead of the UK Hostages and Missing Families Forum, described Hersh as a “beautiful, handsome young man, the son of Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg [and] a devoted older brother to his two sisters”.
Nivi told of her heartbreak at listening to his mother Rachel give Hersh, who was kidnapped from Nova, the Priestly Blessing over a loudspeaker close to the Gaza border shortly before his death, “hoping that it would give him the strength to survive”.
The vigil for the six murdered hostages in Hendon (Photo: Amanda Rose)
Sapir Tayri, a friend of Carmel Gat, who was an occupational therapist, spoke tearfully about how Carmel, abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri, “never gave up on anyone, on any of her patients, anyone who needed help”.
Sapir said that returning hostages had revealed that while they were in captivity, Carmel would advise them on how to keep track of the days, how to meditate and how to do yoga. “Even in the tunnels, she found a place to do a little bit more good in the world and to encourage others to hope and believe that one day, they would all return home.”
Vered Anderson, a close family friend of Eden Yerushalmi, who was abducted from the Nova festival, described her as “the happiest, energetic, fun girl, [who] loved the beach and loved the life in Tel Aviv”.
Vered talked about the optimism of Eden’s sisters and mum, whom she had seen on a recent trip to Israel. “I was in pieces, but they had lots of koach (strength) and just kept carrying on, doing everything they could to bring Eden back.”
“Since 7th October, I have …lit blue candles every week… This Friday, it will be different. I will be lighting a memorial candle.”
Reverand Hayley Ace, who co-founded Christians Action Against Antisemitism (CAAA) recalled how she had met Almog’s younger sister, Amit. “She told me that her big brother was the kindest, most pure-hearted lovely person. She said she always had hope, so this is so devastating and so crushing.”
Ori too had been a loving older brother, said Nivi. “[He was a passionate young man, with dreams of studying electrical engineering. Ori was known for his love of nature and his skilful hands.”
He was kidnapped from the Nova Festival while “courageously trying to help others escape”.
Alexander Lobanov, from Ashkelon, “known as Alex to his family”, leaves behind a wife, a toddler and a five-month-old baby, whom he will never meet.
He was working as a bar manager when he was kidnapped. “His bravery shone through as he helped others evacuate, being captured in the process. His commitment to his family and his selflessness will always be remembered,” said Nivi.
Posters of the slaughtered hostages and a table of candles at a vigil in Hendon (Photo: Amanda Rose)
Stories of the hostages were imterweaved with Yoni Shine’s beautiful singing and words and prayers from Rabbi Kurzer from Golders Green Synagogue, Rabbi Raphy Garson of Tiferes Eyal and Rabbi Shneor Glitsenstein of Israeli Chabad Golders Green.
Rabbi Kurzer said: “We’re with [the families of the murdered hostages]; we’re thinking of you; we’re mourning with you. As a community, we will always stand against evil, and we will always stand against hate, and we will continue to believe that the Almighty will bring better days and that hope is not lost.”
While no one could muster the strength to chant, the wish for the return of the remaining hostages was as strong as ever. “Knowing that eight hostages came out of Gaza alive with IDF missions and knowing that over 100 came out of Gaza with deals, we are begging anyone that can make a deal happen, don’t neglect them,” said Nivi, who organised the event with Haya Langerman.
“There are over 101 hostages in Gaza and their families are waiting for them...Bring them home.”
