Eliora Estrin
On Tuesday, February 4th TRY went to Kikar Hatufim (Hostages Square). It was an incredibly powerful experience that I will never forget. Before we went into the square itself, our ICC teacher, Betsalel, prepared us for what we were going to walk into. He told us some of the history behind why the square was created, why it is located where it is, as well as how we should behave when we are inside. The square is located outside of the Israel Performing Arts Center, and right across the street from a huge military base. This location was chosen because it is right in the face of the government and military officials, and because it is also in the cultural center in the country where people can’t miss it. People from all walks of life pass through the square every day. I felt like all this background information was very important to understanding the features of the square and the full extent of it.
When we first walked into Kikar Hatufim we saw the first exhibit that was placed there – the Shabbat table. It is a long table that consists of one chair for each hostage and former hostage, and each chair was either brought directly from that person’s house, or made specifically for them. It is made to look like a table with a Sukkah above because the time that the hostages were stolen was around the time of Sukkot. This made the exhibit even more intense. Some specific chairs at the table that stuck out to me were a handmade chair with the hostage’s name inscribed into it, a chair that had scarves of the hostage wrapped around it, and a chair that looked like it had been used by that person for a very long time. The one thing that hit me the hardest from the Shabbat table was Kfir and Ariel Bibas’ spots. There was a smaller and shorter table set out for them in the center of the exhibit, with corresponding smaller chairs. Many toys and little stuffed animals were on top of their table and their chairs. It made me really emotional looking at this because nobody deserves to be there, but these are the most innocent people who haven’t even had a chance to live yet. On the contrary, these spots at the Shabbat table gave me a sense of hope. Children are the epitome of hope and innocence. People bringing toys to them gives hope that things will be ok, and that we haven’t forgotten about them. That we haven’t forgotten about anyone.
Going to Hostages Square amplified my connection to what is happening in Israel and deepened my understanding of the extent of the situation. I have seen stickers of hostages or former hostages everywhere we go, as well as reading stories about the hostages, but none of that really compares to actually going to Hostages Square and seeing the degree of the hostage crisis. Being in Kikar Hatufim helped clarify for me what’s really going on and how it affects everyone in Israel and outside of Israel. It is also incredibly powerful to be in this country while the hostages are coming home. I feel a lot more associated with the release of the hostages just by being in the same place that it is actually happening.
It’s highly compelling to know that 28 more Jewish people from North America are here for this. We, as TRYers are physically and emotionally able to give strength to anyone who needs it just by being here for this significant point in history. My hope is for unity and peace throughout Israel, and for all of the remaining hostages to return home swiftly and safely.
