They’re tired of saying “Bring Them Home.”
It’s been 14 months since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas kidnapped their family members — 14 months of agony, loneliness, anger and tears, with few glimmers of hope. On that fateful day, Hamas killed more than 1,200 people in Israel, beginning a war that continues today.
Desperate to get the hostages freed, family members have been traveling around the world to plead their case. This week, they’re in South Florida, speaking with politicians, the media and community leaders, hoping for possible connections to President-elect Donald Trump’s administration and what they hope is his power to get the estimated 100 men, women and children out of captivity.
The South Florida visit, which includes two events open to the public, is presented by We Are All Hostages, a volunteer organization that has helped hostage families travel to Washington, D.C., New York and Europe over the past few months.
On Wednesday evening, the families will share their stories during a free forum at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center in Davie. The following night will feature an in-depth remembrance at the Nova Exhibition, an ongoing exhibit in North Miami that offers a timeline of events and remains rescued from the music festival grounds where 364 were killed on Oct. 7.
The family members’ visit comes at a time when news reports say a deal to free the captives may be close to happening. Yehuda Cohen, father of hostage Nimrod Cohen, said he has heard reports like this before.
“I don’t want to put my hopes too high because I don’t want to be disappointed again,” said Cohen, 55, an engineer at an American technology company in Rehovot, Israel.
Nimrod Cohen, 20, was a soldier whose tank malfunctioned near the border with Gaza. His father plans to tell South Florida political leaders and community members that a ceasefire and hostage deal are the best way to get the Israelis out. In the meantime, he hopes his son somehow sees that he is fighting to get him freed.
“I want him to know all the time that he’s not alone,” Cohen said. “I hope there is the smallest chance that my words get to him.”
In addition to Cohen, the following family members are traveling in South Florida this week:
- Rotem Sharabi, niece of Eli Sharabi, who was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife and two daughters were killed, as was his brother, Yossi.
- Leat Corinne, cousin of Omer Shem Tov, who had been at the Nova music rave in the desert.
- Omri Lifshitz, son of Oded Lifshitz, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
- Maurice Schnaider, uncle to Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped along with her husband and two young sons.
“I could not miss this trip because maybe there is one word I will say that will liberate them,” Schnaider said.
The family, natives of Peru, immigrated to Israel in 1971. His sister was Shiri Bibas’ mother, Margit, who was killed with her husband, Yossi, on Oct. 7 at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
“I can’t erase from my mind how my sister died,” said Schnaider, 68, who lives in Kingston, New York. “I’m fighting for my family but also for every single hostage.”
IF YOU GO
The families will share personal stories as relatives of hostages during a presentation, “Voices of Resilience,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie. Free; register at dpjcc.org/events.
They will also speak at an in-depth remembrance of the Oct. 7 massacre at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, as part of the Nova Music Festival Exhibition, 12100 NE 16th Ave., North Miami. Cost is $18; register at novafestival.seetickets.com.