A solemn hostage vigil was held Monday evening, Sept. 2 at United Hebrew Congregation. Nearly 200 mourners gathered to honor the lives of the six slain Israeli hostages recovered from Gaza. During the ceremony, six candles were lit and prayers were offered for the safe return of the 101 hostages that remain in captivity.
Jewish organizations in St. Louis are expressing deep sorrow following the heartbreaking news of the murder of six hostages in Gaza.
On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) discovered the bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lobanov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40 and Almog Sarusi, 27 in a tunnel in Rafah.
The IDF reported that the hostages were killed by Hamas just moments before Israeli forces could reach them.
All photos by Bill Motchan.
When I left Congress to join AJC, I was drawn by the opportunity to spend every moment of every day working to help the Jewish people and Israel. Since October 7th, that work has given me, and my colleagues at AJC, the honor of spending an enormous amount of time with so many…
— Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee (@AJCCEO) September 1, 2024
