Thursday, October 1, 2026
Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David removed the #BringThemHomeNow banner from its entrance, two and a half years after the Hamas attacks in Israel over two years ago that resulted in dozens of people being taken hostage.
The banner had served as a public reminder of the ongoing captivity and the synagogue’s efforts to keep the hostages in the community’s consciousness.
The ceremony, held on the morning of Feb. 1, was attended by congregants, neighbors, and local officials. Rabbi David Lerner, spiritual leader of the synagogue, said the removal signals a step forward for the congregation.
“It’s time for the healing process to begin,” Lerner said.
Ira M. Salwen, speaking at the event, reflected on the synagogue’s efforts to honor and remember the hostages. He cited a Talmudic expression, “Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Bazeh,” meaning “All Jews are responsible for one another,” and said the attacks made its meaning clear to everyone.
In the months following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, the synagogue created displays to illustrate the hostages’ plight, including chairs representing each captive in the lobby, with photographs added to personalize the display.
“As effective as our lobby was, we realized only those who came inside could see it,” Salwen said. “That’s how the banner came to be — a way for our neighbors and passersby to be reminded of the ongoing captivity.”
The displays were adjusted as the hostages were freed, though the final captive, Ron Gvili, remained represented until his return.
Salwen said the synagogue’s memorials are part of a broader Jewish tradition of remembrance, citing a Torah scroll in the synagogue that survived the Holocaust.
“That scroll is opened to a command in the Torah to remember: ‘Remember what the Amalekites did to you in the desert,’” he said. “Hamas invaded unarmed civilian villages, murdered babies, killed children in front of their parents, and parents in front of their children. We will remember.”
The ceremony took place near International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which Salwen said reinforces the community’s commitment to memory.
“We will remember the names of those held captive, those who celebrated the barbarism of October 7th, and those who stood with us. And we will move forward, secure in the knowledge that Am Yisrael Chai — the people of Israel lives,” he stated.
The banner’s removal marks a symbolic end to a public vigil while honoring the community’s role in supporting hostage families and remembering those affected by the attacks.
