Religious Zionist Movement Honors Heroes in New Year Video

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) for the year 5787, the Religious Zionist movement has released a holiday video set to the piyut (liturgical poem) "Et Sha'arei Ratzon" (When the Gates of Will Open). The video features reservists, bereaved families, the father of a hostage, and individuals representing sacrifice and heroism, concluding with the phrase "And He will say to Zion, 'Your salvation has come.'"

The video, released on Thursday, aims to honor individuals from the Religious Zionist community who have chosen to act for the people and state of Israel, prioritizing national responsibility. Filmed in a synagogue setting, evoking the atmosphere of the High Holy Days, it is accompanied by a rendition of the piyut "Et Sha'arei Ratzon" by Tzure Yifrach.

Instead of staged actors, the movement chose to highlight personal stories of action, volunteering, and resilience. Featured individuals include Yaakov Sherman, who lost two grandsons in the war; Itai Eskel, who served over 500 days in reserve duty; Tamar Cohen, who has taken in over 100 foster children; Zvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor; Gamliel Peretz, who served in identifying fallen soldiers and is a father of three combat soldiers; Dotan Ben David, a kidney donor; and Ofir Anglesman, who was injured in the war and lost a leg.

Through these participants, the video seeks to showcase stories of service, sacrifice, and giving from within the Religious Zionist public. The video concludes with the words "And He will say to Zion, 'Your salvation has come,'" followed by the Religious Zionist party's New Year's greeting to the people of Israel.