Pittsburgh Jewish community holds vigil to advocate for release of hostages taken by Hamas

Pittsburgh’s Jewish community gathered in Squirrel Hill on Sunday for a “Bring them home” vigil to advocate for the release of the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.

Israel says 129 people remain unaccounted for after they were abducted and taken to Gaza during the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, according to the BBC.

The vigil took place at the intersection of Murray Avenue and Darlington Road in Squirrel Hill, and it’s one of many that have been held weekly in support of the hostages and organized by David Dvir, a longtime Squirrel Hill resident and Jewish community member.

Jeff Finkelstein, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh spoke during the vigil, sharing personal anecdotes with the crowd.

Finkelstein, of Squirrel Hill, said that while he was in Israel in November he met with families of hostages, referencing the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. In January, he and others plan to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and the Senate.

Finkelstein spoke to the crowd about the “mammoth” mental health needs in Israel — not just short-term, but long-term as well.

“Israelis are traumatized,” he said. “This community knows better than most how trauma from a traumatic event impacts a population.”

The Jewish community has a “much bigger impact” when it comes together and does things together, Finkelstein said. He ended his speech with a chant of “Bring them home.”

Tammy Kaplan Shemesh, who served in the Israel Defense Forces as a sniper, spoke at the vigil as well. She is a member of the Jewish community in Squirrel Hill, where she has lived for almost three years.

Kaplan Shemesh said she has three Israeli-American kids,and is grateful for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh that makes her and her family feel at home.

“I’m really proud of our community diversity, and I’m also proud of our community unity,” she said. “It’s amazing for me to see Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Unaffiliated … gathering united for just the cause of Israel.”

Bob Danenberg and his wife, Judy, have been longtime residents of Squirrel Hill and members of the Tree of Life Congregation.

He spoke at the vigil about his family’s longstanding ties with Tree of Life.

“Why do I mention Tree of Life so much? Because we, the community, experienced the worst act of antisemitism in America here in Squirrel Hill. … And now again, we’ve experienced the worst act of antisemitism against our global community and homeland since the Holocaust.”

And yet, Danenberg said, the Jewish community is still standing.

While advocating for the return of the hostages, he said the community must also continue showing unity, resilience and determination in rebuilding, as well as remembering and honoring those who have been lost.

“We must continue to feel pride in being Jewish,” Danenberg said. “We cannot let hate and antisemitism affect us.”