Day 506 at the Naumberg Bandshell

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum has been gathering on Sunday mornings in Central Park since the early days of this horrific armed conflict between Hamas, the terrorist organization governing Gaza, and the State of Israel. With the theme of “run for their lives,” the weekly event began as a solidarity run/walk around the Reservoir on Sunday mornings, preceded by a short rally at the Park entrance at 90th St. Rain or shine, no matter the temperature, ex-pat Israelis and Zionists whose hearts are in the East come together to support the family members of those taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023, still being held in the tunnels of Gaza.

Over the course of these almost 17 months of horror for all, the gathering would take on added significance given the events of the week. Even before knowing the tragic fate of the Bibas babies and their mother Shiri, organizers had reached out for Jewish communal support so that more people could mark over 500 days of captivity. So it was that today’s rally was held one hour later and at much more stately venue, the Naumberg Bandshell.

As the trains were slow today, the program had already begun as I approached the bandshell. A beautiful female voice intoning the sacred words of the El Maleh Rachamim, the traditional Jewish prayer for the dead, told me I had arrived. Seeing the Cantor of my Upper West Side synagogue, Ansche Chesed, I knew I was home. Positioning myself close to the stage, I was warmed by both the sun but and the site of the Tzofim, the Israeli Scouts, an Israeli youth group representing the best of what Israel can be. Looking at them, my heart broke knowing the trauma that these young people have gone through. Listening to them sing, my soul was comforted by the knowledge that music heals.

Under a radiant blue sky, Congressman Ritchie Torres, a great friend of Israel, proclaimed his unequivocal support for the State of Israel. He asked where was the global outrage given the depravity of Hamas that is on display for the world to see. He proclaimed loud and proud that “Never Again is Now.” The crowd roared their love and support for this Congressman who sees this conflict for what it is.

The crowd had a chance to hear first hand, from Ilana Gritzewsky, a Hostage Survivor who was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz with her boyfriend Matan Zangauker, who remains in captivity. In gruesome detail she shared her testimony.. The brothers of two other Captives from the Nova Festival, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David spoke. Orna and Ronen Neutra, Omer Neutra’s parents, shared words about their agony as Omer’s fate was uncertain until Day 422. When Jack Lew, former Treasury Secretary took to the podium, right-wing hecklers denounced his call for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take over governance in Gaza. The right wing/left wing tension that exists in both the US and Israel was definitely on display today. Yet in the end, the common theme is to bring ALL OF THE HOSTAGES HOME, NOW.

Both the weather and the music were exceptionally beautiful today. Approaching the end of the program, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah was performed by a female vocalist and violin. I found comfort and strength in these words today. Mistakes are made. We can do better. We must do better.

“And even though it all went wrong, I’ll stand before the Lord of Song, with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.”

And then I made my home uphill through the Strawberry Fields. Imagine…..