As the families of the US hostages held in Gaza arrive in Washington this week, we, leaders of major American Jewish organizations, once again demand that Hamas release the hostages and emphasize that the hostages remain top of mind for the American Jewish community. Pidyon shvuyim, the mitzvah of redemption of captives, is a core value of Jewish communities everywhere.
The American Jewish community will always stand with Israel as she defends herself against existential threats. Our hearts are with our brothers and sisters in Israel – those serving in the IDF, those evacuated from their homes, those awaiting their family member’s return – and we pray to celebrate the release of the hostages together soon.
May all soon live in safety and peace.
On behalf of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the following organizations:
Alpha Epsilon Pi | Ameinu |
American Friends of Likud | American Israel Public Affairs Committee |
American Jewish Committee | American Jewish Congress |
American Sephardi Federation | American Zionist Movement |
AMIT | Anti-Defamation League |
ARZA | B’nai B’rith International |
BZ Media | CAMERA-Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis |
Cantors Assembly | Central Conference of American Rabbis |
Emunah of America | Greater Miami Jewish Federation |
Hadassah, Women’s Zionist Organization of America | Iranian American Jewish Federation |
JCC Association of North America | Jewish Council for Public Affairs |
Jewish Federations of North America | Jewish Labor Committee |
Jewish National Fund | Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago |
Jewish Women International | Maccabi USA |
Mercaz USA, Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement | NA’AMAT USA |
National Council Supporting Eurasian Jewry | National Council of Jewish Women |
National Council of Young Israel | ORT America |
Rabbinical Assembly | Rabbinical Council of America |
Religious Zionists of America | UJA-Federation of New York |
Union for Reform Judaism | Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America |
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism | WIZO USA |
Women of Reform Judaism | Women’s League for Conservative Judaism |
World Zionist Organization Executive – North America | Zionist Organization of America |
Israeli American Council | Simon Wiesenthal Center |
StandWithUs | World Jewish Congress North America |