Rabbi Recounts Emotional Reunions and 'Full Circle' Moments at Hostage Square

Rabbi Itamar Eldar, head of the Orot Shaul Yeshiva, shared poignant experiences from his time leading prayers at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, highlighting moments of unity and profound personal significance.

During one prayer service, attended by thousands of religious and secular Israelis, Rabbi Eldar led the recitation of "Shema Yisrael" and "Hashem Hu HaElokim," emphasizing their universal Jewish meaning. He recounted how the powerful echo of the prayers bouncing off surrounding buildings created a moving atmosphere for the approximately 3,500 participants.

A particularly touching moment occurred when Merav Leshem Gonen, mother of hostage Romy Gonen, stood with Rabbi Eldar as he sounded the shofar. He dedicated the shofar blast to the hostages, their families, and fallen soldiers. Later, after Romy's release, she told Rabbi Eldar that seeing her mother with him during the shofar blowing on Yom Kippur eve, which she watched on television from captivity, served as a sign of her eventual liberation.

Rabbi Eldar also described meeting the daughter of hostage Ohad Ben Ami, who approached him before a prayer service. She shared that her father was held captive and that his tallit (prayer shawl) was among the few items salvaged from their burned home. She asked the rabbi to wear her father's tallit while leading the prayers, which he did, expressing hope that Ohad would one day join them. The following year, Ohad Ben Ami returned from captivity and stood with his daughter and the tallit beside Rabbi Eldar during a prayer service, a moment the rabbi described as a "full circle" experience.

Rabbi Eldar stressed the importance of the diverse crowd at Hostage Square, noting that many attendees would not typically participate in religious services or visit synagogues, underscoring the unique sense of shared purpose and solidarity fostered at the square.