As of January 26, the body of the last Hamas hostage was recovered from Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). IDF soldier Ran Gvili, was returned home to Israel and laid to rest by his family January 29.
For the past 843 days, the Israeli flag at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee had flown at half-mast. It was a daily reminder of the civilians and soldiers cruelly held hostage in Gaza by Hamas since October 7, 2023. Finally, mothers, fathers, and children are no longer being held prisoner in dark Hamas tunnels.
To commemorate this moment, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee held a special ceremony, returning the Israeli flag from half-mast to its proper height. Restoring the Israeli flag to full staff symbolizes resilience, remembrance, and the enduring strength of the Jewish people and the free world. More than 60 community leaders attended this moving and long-overdue ceremony, from local dignitaries to Jewish citizens.
“We invited the community to join us in reflection and unity—to honor every hostage who endured unimaginable suffering, to remember those who did not return, and to stand with their families,” said Shepard Englander, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. “Together, we will restore the Israeli flag to its proper height and affirm that we didn’t forget them for even one day.”
The Sarasota family of American-Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel Chen shared reflections. Sagui was kidnapped when his wife was pregnant and he was held prisoner for close to 500 days before finally being released in a hostage deal. During his captivity, his family members became steadfast advocates for the return of all hostages. He was one of the last surviving hostages to return to Israel. They met with members of Congress and with the President at the White House.
Keren Lifrak, a Sarasota community leader whose brother was killed by Hamas militants while defending Israel, also shared a short reflection. Also, participating were Israeli community members, who maintained vigils in Sarasota for the hostages, week in and week out, even after their counterparts were attacked and killed in Boulder, Colorado. The Federation provided needed security for these vigils.
Omer Shem Tov was kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organization during the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023. He survived captivity by building rapport with his captors and performing such tasks as cooking and maintenance. He credits his faith and prayers as crucial to enduring the ordeal, which included periods of starvation, isolation, and psychological abuse. His 505-day captivity was spent mostly alone and in darkness, in underground tunnels in Gaza. Over 600 people showed up to hear Shem Tov speak at The Ora earlier this year.
On February 17, Keith and Aviva Siegel are also coming to speak at The Ora. Keith and Aviva were among the many abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7. What followed was a man-made, intentional nightmare marked by constant and imminent threats to life, deprivation, starvation, fear, and profound uncertainty. Aviva was held hostage for 51 days. Keith endured 484 days – making him one of the longest-held American hostages ever. Their captivity was not only an assault on their physical freedom, but on their lives, their community and on humanity. Keith faced prolonged isolation and deprivation; Aviva endured hunger, fear, and firsthand exposure to torture and sexual violence. Their voices need to be heard. Please join us to welcome them and bear witness to the realities they were forced to endure.
Don’t miss the upcoming event: Ripped Apart & Reunited.
Join us to hear firsthand a powerful story that raises awareness about the hostage crisis and
trauma relief efforts in Israel through the experience of Keith and Aviva Siegel.
Every story is different. Each voice is unique. October 7, 2023, was the largest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust and the victims of that atrocity need to be heard. We cannot allow these antisemitic acts to be swept under the rug and not vilified by the world.
In April, we as a community will observe Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. We will continue to remember the 6 million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust because we can’t forget. Jewish Federation supports and lobbies for continued Holocaust Education in schools so that the next generations learn about those who perished and to speak up so that it never happens again.
Please listen to these testimonies, attend these events, and never forget. Register for Yom HaShoah, and Ripped Apart: Keith & Aviva Siegel, and continue to call for justice for Israel, for its citizens, and for all Jews being mistreated and attacked around the world.
Join the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee for Yom HaShoah as we come together to remember those lost in the Holocaust and honor the survivors and their families. Through reflection, testimony, and prayer, we affirm our shared responsibility to remember and to stand against hatred. All are welcome to bear witness and help ensure these memories endure.
Register here for Yom HaShoah!