North American Reform Jewish Movement Renews Call for Release of Hostages Held by Hamas

January 11, 2024 - As we mark the 100^th day of the war initiated by Hamas's brutal terrorist attack on communities in southern Israel, the North American Reform Movement raises our collective Reform Jewish voice to demand the liberation of the more than one hundred thirty hostages held in captivity by Hamas since October 7.

The hostages were abducted in flagrant violation of international law. Reports from the hostages released in late November and early December have revealed how those in captivity suffer deplorable conditions-including sexual and physical violence, psychological torture, and near-starvation. Hamas has not allowed any international aid organization access to the hostages to check on their health or provide necessary medicines or medical assistance, in clear contravention to international law. We demand that this failure be rectified immediately.

We join our Israeli partners and colleagues in lifting up the teaching by Rambam: 
"וְאֵין לְךָ מִצְוָה גְּדוֹלָה כְּפִדְיוֹן שְׁבוּיִים", "You have no greater mitzvah (religious obligation) than to free captives." At this devastating milestone, we renew our demand for the swift release of all those who are still held captive in Gaza.

We call on the international community to join the governments of Israel and the United States in their efforts to secure the hostages' release. We will continue raising our voices until every hostage is safely returned home and reunited with their loved ones.

Bring them home now!

Union for Reform Judaism 
Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman (she/her) 
Chair

Rabbi Rick Jacobs (he/him) 
President

Central Conference of American Rabbis 
Rabbi Erica Asch (she/her) 
President

Rabbi Hara E. Person (she/her) 
Chief Executive

American Conference of Cantors 
Cantor Seth Warner (he/him) 
President

Rachel Roth (she/her) 
Chief Operating Officer

Women of Reform Judaism 
Sara Charney (she/her) 
President

Rabbi Liz P. G. Hirsch (she/her) 
Executive Director

Men of Reform Judaism 
Rob Himmelstein (he/him) 
President

Steven Portnoy (he/him) 
Executive Director

Association of Reform Zionists of America 
Daryl Messinger (she/her) 
Chair

Rabbi Josh Weinberg (he/him) 
Director

Reform Jewish Community of Canada 
Len Bates (he/him) 
President  

Reform Rabbis of Canada 
Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg (he/him) 
Chair  

ARZA Canada 
Lee Weisser (she/her)  
President