Reflections from Federation’s President & CEO
October 13, 2025
Dear Seattle Community,
Like many of you, I stayed up late last night to watch the news from Israel. It was a mix of intense emotions reflecting on the last two years and watching the scenes from across the country. And, we know that there is a long road ahead of healing and recovery for the hostages, their families, and all Israelis.
The words of Psalm 126 feel particularly appropriate today:
A song of ascents.
When G-d brought back those who returned to Zion, it seemed like a dream. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with joyful song.
Then they said among the nations: “G-d has done great things for them.”
Yes, G-d is doing great things for us, and we are joyful.
Restore our fortunes, O G-d, as streams revive the desert.
Then those who have sown in tears shall reap in joy.
Those who go forth weeping, carrying bags of seeds, shall come home with shouts of joy, bearing their sheaves.
As we prepare to celebrate Simchat Torah this evening, we remember the darkness that descended on Simchat Torah two years ago, and we hope the days ahead are a time of renewal, joy, and peace.
I invite you to read the full statement about today’s historic events from our partners at Jewish Federations of North America included below.
Chag Sameach,
Solly Kane
President & CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
Jewish Federations rejoice as 20 living hostages return home to Israel
Today is a day of hope and, we pray, the beginning of healing for the hostages, their families and all of Israel.
For 738 days, 48 out of 250 people kidnapped from Israel have been held in captivity by Hamas terrorists, in horrific conditions.
Through 18 major Jewish holidays and 105 Shabbat dinners, Jewish families in Israel and around the world had empty chairs at our tables, yellow ribbons on our lapels, and fractures in our hearts.
Each of those 1 million minutes was filled with anguish and uncertainty — wondering if the hostages would live or die, knowing that the Jewish people were incomplete without them.
Today we rejoice as the 20 surviving hostages come home to their loved ones and finally fill the empty chairs at our tables and begin mending our broken hearts. Jewish Federations across North America and Jews everywhere celebrate this long-awaited moment of relief and joy, standing in solidarity with the families and the people of Israel.
We welcome the long-awaited return of:
We also mourn the indelible loss of 28 people who faced down Hamas with heroism and bravery but did not survive captivity, whose bodies are expected to return home in the coming hours and days. We pray for their families and loved ones to be able to give them the proper burial they deserve. May they be comforted among all the mourners of Zion.
We honor the resilience of the hostages and their families and continue to pray for all whose lives have been shattered by terror. They built their cause into a social movement that has garnered support across the globe and never wavered.
We also take this moment to recognize the enormous sacrifice and service of Israel’s soldiers and their families, who put their time, their economic wellbeing, their bodies, and their lives on the line to protect Israel during this horrific period. We mourn the loss of 915 soldiers who died as they fought successfully to get the hostages home and defeat Israel’s enemies.
We are grateful to President Trump and his negotiators whose tireless efforts made this day possible.
May this moment mark the beginning of comfort and renewal for the people of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere.
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