Jews Retire Hostage Rituals with Gratitude and Grief
With the hostages home, Jews are struggling to let go of the prayers and rituals that grew out of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Congregation Beth El in South Orange, New Jersey, added new rituals after the attacks, including hanging a "bring them home now" sign and adding the "Acheinu" prayer for redeeming captives to the weekly Shabbat service.
- Congregants wore yellow hostage ribbons and pins on their lapels
- Dog tags with the names of the missing were worn
- Some families lit extra candles on Shabbat
Rabbi Jesse Olitzky read the biography of a hostage each week
The congregation sang songs of peace as the war raged on.
Author's summary: Jews retire hostage rituals with gratitude.