Over the past few weeks, stories have been shared from family members of the hostages in Gaza who have been released. One story that has stuck with me is that of Emily Hand. Emily was the hostage who turned 9 years old while in captivity. Emily was at a sleepover at her friend’s house when she was taken by the terrorists. Her father received news that led to him thinking that she had died, only to find out later that she would be amongst the second batch of hostages to be released. When her father asked her how long she thought she was gone for, she replied “a year.” She was gone for two months, but to her, and to so many of us, it felt like a year, perhaps even longer.
In this week’s Torah portion, Mikeitz, we continue the story of Joseph. Joseph is in captivity in Egypt, where he is found to have been able to interpret dreams. Word of his dream-interpreting skills makes it to Pharaoh, who decides to pay Joseph a visit. To make a long story short, Pharaoh reveals two of his dreams to Joseph, which he interprets for him. Based on the interpretation, Pharaoh knows a famine is coming and puts Joseph in charge of overseeing the harvest over the next seven years. Seven years later, famine strikes the area. Everyone from the surrounding areas come to Egypt to ask for food, including Joseph’s brothers. Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they no longer recognize him. He is truly a different person both physically and mentally.
There is much more to the story of Joseph in this week’s portion, but I want to focus on the fact that Joseph had such a transformation during his captivity and freedom that his family did not even recognize him. Those who were taken from Israel on October 7th were immediately changed. I cannot imagine the psychological and physical horror that they have had to go through. There are still so many who have not been returned and we must demand that the hostages be released NOW.
While the comparison of Joseph’s story to that of the hostages in Gaza may be a reach, it is truly on so many of our minds. In the lobby at Temple Jeremiah, we see their pictures scrolling. On the news and on social media every day we are reminded of both those who have returned to us and those that we anxiously wait for their return. It is important for all of us to know that while we pray that all the hostages are released, they will never be the same people again.
In honor of the holiday of Chanukah, I choose to think of the light amongst the darkness. Emily Hand, upon her release, first asked to listen to her favorite song by Beyonce. Her father, determined to raise her spirit and bring back a fragment of his young daughter’s spark, promised that he would get his daughter to a Beyonce concert, “I don’t care where it is in the world, she is going.” News of her story spread and Beyonce herself promised that when ready, Emily would have a ticket and flight to any concert location of her choosing.
Lastly, Mia Schem, a 19-year-old who was kidnapped and released, revealed a tattoo that she got this past week. On her arm t it now reads, “We will dance again, 7.10.23.” Just like the story of Hanukah and the story of Joseph, we are a resilient nation. The citizens of Israel are resilient, as are the Jewish people. So, at a time when there is a world of darkness out there that often can overtake our lives and our minds, do not forget these stories, and KNOW that there will be more to come.
Let us pray for peace and the release of all the hostages.
Shabbat Shalom,
Matt Rissien