Hostage Project 'Coming Home Soon' Culminates in Book Presentation
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal hosted an event presenting books created for former hostages and their families as part of the "Coming Home Soon" project. Initiated in October 2023, the project involved personal books for each hostage, updated throughout their captivity and filled with messages of support from around the world. The books were officially presented to survivors and families after all hostages were returned to Israel, symbolizing their personal stories and the broader narrative of Israel. The initiative, which originated with Israeli and Dutch women, aimed to maintain international focus on the hostages' plight.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- President Isaac Herzog presented books from the "Coming Home Soon" project to former hostages and their families.
- The "Coming Home Soon" project created personal books for each hostage, updated throughout their captivity.
- Thousands of messages of support were collected from around the world for the hostages.
- The project was initiated in October 2023 by Israeli and Dutch women to aid the hostages' release.
- The books were presented after all hostages were returned to Israel, symbolizing their stories and Israel's.
- President Herzog highlighted the project's deep meaning and connection between Jewish communities globally.
President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal hosted an event at the President's Residence where books created for former hostages and families of those held captive were presented. The "Coming Home Soon" project, initiated in October 2023 by Israeli and Dutch women as part of the international effort to secure the hostages' release, culminated in this ceremony. Each hostage was assigned a personal book detailing their life story and abduction, which was updated throughout their captivity until their return to Israel.
Over the past three years, these books have been displayed in museums, synagogues, the European Parliament, and various events across Europe. Visitors were invited to write personal messages of support, hope, and encouragement, resulting in thousands of dedications from people worldwide. These messages were preserved with the intention of delivering them to the hostages upon their return.
Now, three years after the October 7th massacre and following the return of all hostages, the books were formally handed over to the survivors and their families. During the event, President Herzog and his wife spoke with survivors, their families, and bereaved families, hearing about their experiences since October 7th and the significance of the project for them.
President Herzog expressed his emotion at the return of hostages and offered condolences to bereaved families. He described the project as "amazing" with "supreme importance and very deep meaning," highlighting the connection between Jewish communities in Israel and the diaspora. He stated that each book, dedicated to a specific hostage, contains their personal story and, in essence, "the story of all of Israel," emphasizing that these books should be passed down through generations. He also extended his support to the Jewish community in the Netherlands and supporters of Israel facing difficult attacks.
Bar Cooperstein, who survived 738 days in Hamas captivity, shared that seeing the books together was a powerful experience, noting how the project's ability to transcend borders and unite people is "amazing." Noam, granddaughter of the late Shlomo Mansour, read a passage from her grandfather's book, reflecting on the profound impact of the project and how it exposed his story to many who felt connected to him despite never meeting him. Einav, mother of the late Uri Danino, emphasized the importance of unity and how the project, originating from abroad, provided comfort and strength, ensuring the "memorialization of our heroes."