Hostage Freedom Shabbat, February 7-8: Shabbat Shirah
On Friday night, February 7, 2025, Jews around the world will unite in an unprecedented campaign of solidarity and reconnection—Hostage Freedom Shabbat. Inspired by the start of the reunification of Israeli hostages with their families, this movement encourages every Jewish family to invite one other family or individual to your Friday night Shabbat dinner on Friday night February 7, 2025, fostering a sense of communal unity.
This act of Jewish spiritual unity symbolizes our collective strength, countering the disunity and infighting that plagued Israeli and Jewish society during the summer of 2023, which ultimately left us vulnerable to the devastating massacre of October 7th. By inviting others into our homes, we not only promote a spirit of togetherness but also reaffirm our commitment to our Jewish heritage, showing ourselves and world that we stand united in the face of adversity.
The barbarism of Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis on OCTOBER 7.
What is our response?
The Hostage Freedom Shabbat campaign comes at a critical time for the Jewish people, as the memory of the Six Day War serves as a reminder of how moments of crisis can lead to profound awakenings of Jewish identity.
Just as the Six Day War brought Jews worldwide together, fostering a renewed sense of Jewish identity, unity and purpose, the trauma of October 7th has ignited the inner spark of reconnection to our faith, heritage, and community.
We are now all OCTOBER 8th Jews.
Hostage Freedom Shabbat offers a way for every Jew to be part of this awakening of our faith, showing that in times of hardship, we turn to our traditions to strengthen our bonds. Hostage Freedom Shabbat represents not only the literal return of our brothers and sisters, but the spiritual return of Jews to one another and to our collective Jewish identity.
The campaign will continue every Friday night through 2025, until all the hostages return to their families.
Anyone who joins this campaign may well discover within your inner self, that which Elijah discovered, as related in I Kings 19:11,
And God said: ‘Go forth, Elijah, and stand upon the mount before the Lord: And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire a still silent voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave.
On Friday night February 7, if you listen carefully when you join with another family at the Shabbat Table Experience you may well hear the still silent voice that Elijah heard. The silent voice will be your inner voice, your inner soul, connecting with its Source and to the nation of Israel.