Orange for Hope: Standing with the Bibas Family
Today, we unite in orange, as symbols of solidarity and hope, as we stand with the Bibas family.
We find ourselves on what feels like an emotional rollercoaster as the Bibas family faces another day awaiting news regarding the possible release of hostages held by Hamas.
“The list that was recently forwarded by Hamas to Israel is not a list of names and does not change our standpoint,” stated the Bibas family in a social media post on Monday afternoon.
Ofri Bibas-Levy, sister of Yarden Bibas and sister-in-law of Shiri, spoke to Reshet TV about the family’s harrowing plight. She expressed, “There has been no change for us from yesterday to today. For a year and two months, we have lived with the fear for the lives of Shiri and the children. We continue to wait for them and insist on the return of all four of them. We will not agree to any deal that does not include their safe return, this is our reality. We are caught in a cycle of waiting amidst all the rumors. From our perspective, there is no distinction between today and yesterday; the fear for their lives persists. We hold on to hope but demand clarity.”
The two young Bibas boys, Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 2, have touched many hearts with their vibrant red hair and innocent smiles. Kfir is the youngest hostage taken by Hamas, alongside their parents, Shiri and Yarden Bibas.
Support for the Bibas family has been overwhelming, with many advocates raising awareness through social media and community initiatives.

People of all ages advocate for the remaining hostages. Photo: Jamee Schleifer
Ariel Noyman, a Jewish mother of two, shared her sentiments about the Bibas family. As the group leader of the Sheepshead Bay chapter of “Run for Their Lives” located in South Brooklyn, she is dedicated to calling for the immediate and safe return of the 90 remaining hostages.
Ariel expressed how her two sons, ages 6 1/2 and 2 1/2 are so close in age to the Bibas children, that it created a deep personal connection to the family’s ordeal.
“It’s hard for me to imagine how the youngest hostage, Kfir, who was just nine months old when he was taken on Oct 7th, is surviving without the proper nourishment and care. While their mother is fighting for her own survival, all the while trying to care for their two sons. I know my children required constant attention and basic needs at Kfir’s age, so I can hardly fathom what I would do in such a situation or what my chances of survival would be. I think tirelessly about Shiri Bibas, as we are also so close in age, it’s hard not to think that this could have happened to us.” Ariel shared.
Ariel also added “I am an American, many miles away from Israel but distance from the location doesn’t mean you can’t make an impact and show you care. We have seen many people in positions of power fail the hostages thus far, and at this point it is up to us to come together and share the responsibility of bringing them home.”
Through community efforts like this, we foster hope that collective awareness and contributing to Tikkun Olam, also known as “repairing the world” in the Torah will continue to keep the hostages at the forefront and ultimately lead to their swift and safe return.
Together, we all hold on to hope in our prayer for the Bibas family safe return home.
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