Yom Kippur prayers were held at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, drawing hostage families, bereaved families, rabbis, public figures and members of the public from across Israeli society. Over the past three years, the square has become a place where religious and secular Israelis, regular worshippers and those who rarely enter synagogues, have stood together in prayer for the return of the hostages.
October 7th Hostages
Yom Kippur at Hostages Square
Nearly three years after October 7th, religious and secular Israelis gathered together at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square for prayers focused on gratitude, memory, and unity
This year's prayers were dedicated not only to gratitude for those who have returned and memory of those who did not come back alive, but also to the safety of soldiers, healing of the wounded, and strengthening the bonds within Israeli society.
As the third anniversary of October 7th approaches, the prayer organizers sought to return to the place where an extraordinary connection formed between different segments of the nation — and to preserve that spirit of togetherness even amid the disputes and divisions that accompany Israeli society.
Behind the initiative stands a group of activists and public figures, including Mira Leshem, the event organizer; Meirav Leshem Gonen; Rabbi Itamar Eldar, head of Orot Shaul Yeshiva and partner in the initiative; Rabbi Tamir Granot; Rabbi David Stav; and the Tzohar organization.
Mira Leshem, the event organizer, and Rabbi Itamar Eldar, head of Orot Shaul Yeshiva and partner in the initiative, said: "We have a deep sense that our success in praying together over the past two years, while overcoming differences in opinions, ideology, and prayer customs, contributed to the return of the hostages, and we pray that this year's success will also bring blessing to the people of Israel."
