Naama Levy – Say Her Name!
A few weeks ago, Naama’s grandfather came to speak at our synagogue in Ra’anana. People were moved and hanging on to his every word. You see, it wasn’t just any city he was speaking in – it was Naama’s hometown, where she grew up and where her family lives. And since October 7, Naama has become the daughter of all its citizens. Each one of us awaits her return – and has for over 475 days. Despite being a nation at war, witnessing a new hostage deal, and feeling torn apart inside, we are still ever hopeful. We say her name – Naama Levy – and I am moved to write these words, for her.
On October 7, I made the mistake of turning on the TV, after all the numerous sirens, as I felt something was very wrong. I turned it on, despite being a Sabbath observer, because that was how off things felt that day. There are images from that day that will be forever engraved in my mind, and I am sure in the minds of so many others; the kidnappings of the Bibas family, Noa Argamani’s, and Naama Levy’s. Something about Naama’s kidnapping though would not leave my head or my soul. Maybe it is because she is a daughter of a mother living only a few blocks from me, and I am a mother of a daughter, just a bit older than Naama. Maybe it was learning about Naama’s artistic side, just like my daughter has, in a display in our city center that her mom placed for all of us to partake in and see. Or maybe it was just something about Naama’s smile that just reminded me of my daughter’s. In fact, her mom and I have never met or crossed paths, but I can honestly say that I have not slept one peaceful night since October 7, knowing how much this mom has suffered, how much our people have suffered, and continue to suffer. There has not been a day that has gone by that I have not thought of the events of October 7 and of Naama’s kidnapping; indeed, that I have not thought of you, Naama.
Your grandfather came and spoke for your family and then changed gears, imagining what you would say if you were the one being interviewed, as he had, countless times on your behalf. He had become, not just Abba, or Saba, but he had become Naama’s grandfather, and he, as that man, told us to say your name. He told us to keep your name out there, to beseech those who took you to release you, to beg those who could make your freedom a reality, to do all they could to bring you home. I, like your grandfather, will not discuss politics here, I am writing these words to you Naama – as if you and I were talking face to face. He imagined what you would say if you were being interviewed during your captivity, and I imagined what I would say to you if we sat and talked together once you were free.
What words could I say to you that maybe, just maybe would make some difference, that maybe would resonate inside of your beautiful soul. I think I would start by telling you that my background in life is in the world of Holocaust Studies and prosecution. Because I would want you to know that I have seen untold evils, advocated for victims, preserved their stories, and worked for years with survivors. I have stories which I cannot repeat, and haunt me still, though I left both of those fields long ago. Why, maybe you would ask, would I tell you this? Because I have sat face to face with so many victims who became survivors, and because I want you to know that you too, Naama, are a survivor – and you will make that transition from victim to survivor the moment you come home.
No one wants to be a victim. No one chooses to be one. No one does anything to become one. Nothing you did that day or for the days you were away from your family was your fault. There is evil in this world, and sadly, you had a front row seat to it. But what you do with what you have experienced is what you have control over. Where do you go from here? You live each day, you listen to each breath, you take all the time you need to heal, and you will heal. I truly believe that G-d has created you in his image and given you a soul that no one can touch. In fact, our people believe that each soul is a spark of the Divine. And just like the body heals with time, you, the inside you will heal too. It is ok to ask for help, it is ok to tell others to give you space, it is ok to have your privacy, and to have time to yourself or with the company you choose. Embrace every moment that you are surrounded by those who love you, and trust me, outside your immediate family – all of Israel does too. That may be a heavy burden at times – but it can and will be a foundation of your strength. That is what you should take away from that pressure, even when it is overwhelming.
Naama, you may not believe you will get through this, there will be dark days, but again look to your loved ones – family and friends. You will laugh again, even through the tears. You will live and grow and do what brings you joy. I wish you love and happiness and all the strength in the world – and it will come because you will choose your path and that will be your greatest revenge. Every survivor I have ever met, of any kind of brutality, has one thing in common – knowing that their ability to overcome is within them – it is in that spark. Even though there will be moments you do not believe so, do not listen to that voice inside you that says, “I can’t” – only listen to the one that says “I can. I will. I am a survivor.”
Harness your strength and live life to the fullest. One day, when you are ready, if you wish, tell others. Because for us Jews never forgetting is our superpower. We may joke about every holiday being one in which we remember that they tried to kill us and then we eat, but it is our humor about our history that makes us who we are. There is nothing we Jews cannot find humor in, despite being surrounded by evil. Why? Because 3,000 years of history have gone by and we are still here. We are a people of survivors who triumphed and transformed into a resilient and stronger-for-it nation. You were a victim – but know this, that will never define you. Your joy, your laughter, your resilience, your strength, your successes, even the small ones, will be your victory. Each day that your spark shines will be your triumph. I have seen it happen over and over again in others – the transformation from victim to survivor – and it is within you to transform and triumph too.
We are waiting for you Naama. Your parents are holding their breaths till you come home. Your family, your friends are. We all are. We are waiting for you and all the others still being kept away from their loved ones. And to your Ima and Abba I can only say that we are praying along with them for your return, counting the days until you come home. Ayelet and Yoni, I wish for you that soon, very soon, you get to realize your dream of having Naama come home – that reunion you await with bated breath. You are heroes to all of us, even though you do not wish to be. But you two said her name, just like her Saba did, and connected us to her so we could get a glimpse of the person Naama is and what she loves in life. I know that you will care for her like no one can, that your love for her will envelope and comfort her, and that it will be the basis of all she needs in the days that lie ahead.
Finally, to my fellow Israelis, I would simply say, unite, pray, listen, help each other as needed, and just recognize that every day is a gift – live it by example for Naama and for all the others who are coming home, G-d willing, one day soon.
We wait for all of you. Bring them home! Say their names!
Tamir Adar
Muhammad Al-Atarash Hisham Al-Sayed Liri Albag Edan Alexander Matan Angrest Karina Ariev Aviv Atzili Sahar Baruch Uriel Baruch Ohad Ben Ami Agam Berger Gail Berman Ziv Berman Ariel Bibas Kfir Bibas Shiri Bibas Yarden Bibas Elkana Bohbot Rom Braslavski Itay Chen Sagui Dekel Chen Eliya Cohen Nimrod Cohen Amiram Cooper Ariel Cunio David Cunio Evyatar David Itzhak Elgarat |
Ronen Engel
Daniella Gilboa Guy Gilbo-Dalal Meny Godard Hadar Goldin Ran Gvili Gad Haggai Judi Weinstein Haggai Tal Haimi Inbar Hayman Maxim Herkin Eitan Horn Iair Horn Tsachi Idan Guy Illouz Bipin Joshi Ofer Kalderon Segev Kalfon Ofra Keidar Bar Abraham Kupershtein Eitan Levi Shay Levinson Naama Levy Or Levy Oded Lifshitz Shlomo Mantzur Eliyahu Margalit Avera Mengisto Omri Miran
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Joshua Loitu Mollel
Eitan Abraham Mor Gadi Moshe Mozes Omer Neutra Tamir Nimrodi Yosef-Chaim Ohana Alon Ohel Avinatan Or Dror Or Daniel Oz Daniel Peretz Lior Rudaeff Yonatan Samerano Eli Sharabi Yossi Sharabi Omer Shem Tov Tal Shoham Idan Shtivi Keith Samuel Siegel Alexandra Sasha Troufanov Ilan Weiss Omer Wenkert Yair Yaakov Ohad Yahalomi Arbel Yehoud Arie Zalmanowicz Matan Zangauker (As listed on the Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Instagram) |