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January 19, 2025

Federations express joy at release of Gonen, Damar, and Steinbrecher

January 19 2025:

Statement from Jewish Federations of North America


The Jewish community today is overwhelmed with emotion as we welcome Romi Gonen, Emily Damar, and Doron Steinbrecher, back home after 471 days in captivity. 

 

Romi Gonen was shot and kidnapped from the Nova music festival. Emily Damari, the last remaining British hostage in Gaza, was also shot when she was abducted. Doron Steinbrecher was taken from her home at Kibbutz Kfar Aza.

 

Every day for over 15 months, we have been thinking about them, praying for them, and advocating for their release. They have lived through an unimaginable nightmare, and our community will do whatever we can to help them on the long journey of healing and reintegration that lies ahead of them.

 

We are hopeful that over the coming weeks, we will see continued hostage releases until every last one of the remaining 95 hostages are returned home.



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