RICHMOND, Va. β Richmond's Jewish community joined Jews throughout the diaspora in celebrating the return of 20 Israeli hostages, marking a day of joy amid ongoing concerns about what comes next for Israel.
Daniel Staffenberg, CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, said the local Jewish community has maintained deep ties to Israel, including partnerships in the Hadera region and personal connections to the family of murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who once lived in Richmond.
"We've taken five trips to Israel since October 7. It was that opportunity to hug and be together," Staffenberg said. "I think what is often not always understood is that there is no sea between Israel and Richmond. We are one family. The phone, you know, is just a way to connect, but we are right hand in hand, and have been for many years."
Staffenberg said finding a path to permanent peace and stability is more urgent than ever, but emphasized that the focus should be on celebrating the reunion of loved ones after two years of brutal captivity.
However, Staffenberg also pointed out the importance of not forgetting the families of the 28 hostages killed by Hamas whose bodies have not been returned. While several remains were turned over, many families remain in limbo.
'A victory for humanity'
On the final night of Sukkot, several candles were lit in Richmond as community members marked both celebration and remembrance following the hostage releases.
Among the freed hostages is 24-year-old Alon Ohel, who was kidnapped in October 2023 at the Nova Music Festival from a bomb shelter along with Hersh Goldberg-Polin. While the young men did not know each other prior to their abduction, both have personal ties to Richmond through family friends Limor Glazer and Melissa Krumbein.
"The connection and the loyalty of the families and friends, I've watched every step of the way, Alon's parents, Alon's family, what they've gone through, what they've done," Glazer said.
The personal connections have intensified the emotional impact for Richmond's Jewish community.
"We as a Jewish community have been reeling for two years, with grief and just pain. Unadulterated pain," Krumbein said.
Both families worked tirelessly to raise awareness of their sons' plight. A talented pianist, Alon's family placed pianos across Israel and around the world to keep his story alive. On Monday, a piano symbolizing hope was unwrapped from its yellow vinyl covering at the Jewish Community Center in Richmond.
"We all hugged each other and it was fantastic," Krumbein said.
But the celebration was tempered by the reality that Hersh would not be coming home.
"I spoke with Rachel this morning, Hersh's mom," Krumbein said. "It's bittersweet, that's what she says, but very, very elated for all the hostages that came home and so that everybody can have closure."
On Monday morning, Krumbein took down several posters in her yard of the freed hostages, leaving pictures of those whose bodies have not been returned.
The two women sat down to dinner with close friends to give thanks and reflect on a war that has devastated families they know personally.
"Every single one of us. We've been rallying and praying for every single person who was hurt, for every family that had damage, who had lost people. When I say one name, they say no, it's for everyone," Glazer said.
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