LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — For the previous two years, the Southern Nevada Jewish group has honored the hostages Hamas held captive by means of candlelight vigils, prayers, and talking engagements.
There have been blended emotions of pleasure and unhappiness on Monday. Pleasure that the hostages have been launched and eventually again dwelling with their households. But, unhappiness for many who died by the hands of Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson has posters of the hostages hanging in its sanctuary that it plans to take down on Tuesday.
Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson has posters of the hostages hanging in its sanctuary that it plans to take down on Tuesday. (KLAS)
“A lot of these were just very young men that were at the Nova Music festival, and they’re in their 20s. And I think the oldest one was in his 40s,” Rabbi-Cantor Jessica Hutchings of Ner Tamid mentioned. “These were just very young people that – they get to move on with the rest of their life.”
Every poster represented a face with a narrative.
The 20 residing hostages returning dwelling marked a turning level for the Center East and the Las Vegas valley. In whole, Hamas kidnapped 251 individuals on Oct. 7.
Rabbi Hutchings mentioned their launch ought to be a joyous event, but there are nonetheless the our bodies of the 28 hostages who died in captivity.
“There are still so many people who did not survive, who need to come home,” Hutchings mentioned. “There are so many people who didn’t survive on Oct. 7 that we are still in mourning for, so there is a mixed feeling.”
Final 12 months, Eitan Gonen spoke at an occasion in Las Vegas. Hamas had kidnapped his daughter, Romi, till lastly releasing her in January of this 12 months.
“She’s been fighting for her life, for herself and for the other hostages since then, and we, her family, have been fighting for her,” Gonen mentioned on Oct. 6, 2024. “That’s why I’m here tonight, because no parents should have to experience the nightmare we, the hostages’ families, are going through.”
Congregation Ner Tamid will host a ceremony on Tuesday the place it would take down the hostage posters and accumulate any yellow ribbons or canine tags members wore during the last two years, as a solution to keep in mind the hostages. It coincides with the vacation service of Simchat Torah.
Temple Beth Sholom will host a group occasion on Thursday known as “Marking October 7.” A musician who narrowly escaped the Hamas assault will carry out on the occasion.
