Redeem Hostages from Gaza: The great mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim

"Every moment that redemption of captives is delayed, when it is possible to expedite it, is as if blood is being shed." (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah, Chapter 252, Section 3) 101 Hostages are held in the tunnels of Gaza, suffering in unimaginable conditions. It’s already more than a year with no deal in sight. Every passing day could cost another life. We must act NOW and try something new to break the stalemate and get our people home. We need the living to come home to heal and rebuild with their families, the deceased for burial and closure for their families. And the entire Jewish National to heal and unite once again following the trauma of October 7 and the surrounding events that tore and continue to tear our nation apart from within. This is a Kiddush HaShem and here is an opportunity for YOU to participate in this Great Mitzvah. The campaign to offer financial rewards for information leading to the release of a Hostage is about to begin. We will focus our messaging on social media in Gaza in order to reach deep into the tunnels and achieve high awareness among Hamas and their families. The leadership and administration of this campaign are all 100% volunteers although we will bear production and marketing expenses to ensure the distribution of our message in Gaza. Many good people in Israel and worldwide have asked to join in this effort and participate in the “Great Mitzvah” of Pidyon Shvuyim. Your participation not only allows the campaign to be stronger and more effective, to hopefully redeem more Hostages, but also provides tremendous encouragement to the families of the Hostages and in all likelihood to the hostages themselves in Gaza, whom we heard from Hostages previously released, do hear news from Israel from time to time. Their spirits will soar, knowing they have not been forgotten, and that all Am Yisroel are working for their release. It is not about the amount of contribution. It’s about sharing this effort TOGETHER, hand in hand, a common mission across all Jewish communities around the world. “Thou shalt not stand upon your fellow's blood". We are a nation that celebrates LIFE. Here is an opportunity to stand together, as one Nation, to sanctify life itself. This campaign can receive donations as little as one dollar or one shekel. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Donations are recognized for tax exemptions in Israel (46b) and in the U.S. via JGive (501c). Campaign funds will be donated to the registered Israeli NGO “Shachen Metsil Hayim” (www.shahens.com), which was founded by Daniel Birnabum in 2019 and which will administer this Campaign. We cannot know right now how long this campaign will run or how successful we will be. Therefore, at the conclusion of this initiative, any unused funds from this campaign will be distributed among three organizations supporting survivors and families affected by the tragic events of October 7 and its aftermath. This campaign's main focus is the return of living Hostages, but we also hope to facilitate the return of our deceased Hostages to bring them to burial in Eretz Yisroel so the families may sit Shiva for their loved ones. Therefore, 10% of funds raised will be directed to activities promoting the return of fallen Hostages, such as the JGive campaign to bring Itai Chen Home. For background, we are working in conjunction with Israel’s security services, and, the initiative to offer ransom for information leading to the release of a Hostage, aims to complement Israel's declaration following Sinwar’s elimination: That any Gazan who delivers a Hostage to Israel, is guaranteed safe passage and immunity. This campaign adds the financial incentive of $500,000 for information leading to the release of a living Hostage. Let’s work together to get our Hostages home and turn a new page of individual and national healing. Please join us in any way you can, but mostly by sharing this initiative with your friends, so that Klal Am Yisroel share in this Great Mitzvah of saving lives and healing hearts. This is The Jewish Way. Let’s do this as one nation TOGETHER ! Photo credit: Roman Mykhalchuk