60 Weeks. 60 Minutes of Silence: A Global Gesture of Shared Humanity

A week after October 7, the 70-member team I work with in India began their Friday morning Zoom assembly with a minute of silence—for the safe return of the Israeli hostages and for peace in the region. They have continued this practice every Friday since that devastating day.

Gabriel Project Mumbai (GPM), the organization I am privileged to be part of, comprises a diverse staff—primarily Hindus, alongside Catholics, Jains, Muslims, and Jews. As a non-sectarian organization working in urban slums and underserved tribal villages, GPM has built meaningful relationships with Israeli and Jewish groups over the last 13 years.

Israeli organizations like IsraAID and NALA have sent development professionals to collaborate closely with our staff on the ground. Jewish organizations such as the UJA Federation of New York and The Good People Fund have supported our COVID-19 relief efforts, while the Israeli Consulate in Mumbai has championed our work with marginalized communities. The Chief Rabbi of the UK, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, and his wife, Valerie, have sat with our team to show their support for the children we serve. Service-oriented groups like JDC, OU Relief Missions, and others have sent volunteers and interns to experience our initiatives. Additionally, Jewish gap year students from Kivunim, Nativ, and Young Judaea have witnessed our work, engaged with our staff, and fostered enduring bonds.

When the horrors of October 7 unfolded, the shock reverberated across the GPM team. In response, they took it upon themselves to dedicate a minute of silence each Friday—not only as a gesture of solidarity with their many Israeli and Jewish friends, but also as an expression of shared humanity. Staff in our medical clinics, schools, social protection offices, our kitchen used to produce food for malnourished infants, farming collectives, and livelihood groups—men and women devoted to caring for their own struggling communities—are now showing care for their friends and colleagues in Israel.

It has now been 60 weeks. Sixty minutes of silence.

This quiet act of reflection reminds us of the profound connections we share with people far beyond our borders. It is a testament to the strength of human bonds, transcending geography, religion, and culture.

Let us all hope that the hostages are safely returned, and that peace finally prevails. The staff of Gabriel Project Mumbai—and the world—should no longer need to stand in silence this Friday.

May that day come soon.