Edited by:  Fern Sidman

In a heart-wrenching journey from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., Yael Alexander, the mother of Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Israeli-born IDF soldier, shared the agony she endures since Hamas terrorists abducted her son on October 7. Yael, once immersed in the world of baking and selling fancy cakes, now devotes every waking moment to advocating for Edan’s release, according to a recently published report on The Forward web site. Her days of joy and creativity are now replaced by the relentless pursuit of her son’s freedom.

“I just want to hug Edan, you know? I miss him so much,” Yael expressed during the trip to the nation’s capital, where she is set to be a guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday evening, as was reported in The Forward. The distress that was evident in her words encapsulates the emotional toll taken by the months of uncertainty and fear.

Yael’s husband, Adi, stands by her side in this painful journey. Instead of enjoying the simple pleasures of life, they engage in a tireless campaign, reaching out to American officials and anyone willing to lend an ear. Their message is clear: the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas. The Forward also reported that Yael’s advocacy extends across borders, with relatives in Israel amplifying Edan’s case on the other side of the world.

As the Alexanders prepare to attend the State of the Union, they will be joined by over a dozen other family members who share the same heartbreaking reality – American citizens held captive by Hamas. New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Jewish Democrat, is hosting Adi and Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of another hostage, Sagui Dekel-Chen.

“Their presence is a strong reminder that Americans, including Adi’s son Edan and Jonathan’s son Sagui, are still being held hostage at the hands of Hamas terrorists,” emphasized Rep. Gottheimer in a statement, as was noted in the report on The Forward web site. The desperate situation is underscored by the fact that 150 days have passed since the captives were taken, prompting urgent calls for their release.

Yael, hosted by Rep. Donald Norcross, a Democrat from New Jersey, carries with her a constant reminder of her son – Edan’s military ID, a cherished memento that never leaves her side. The Forward also reported that Adi, in a poignant gesture, wears Edan’s original IDF dog tag, a symbol of their unyielding hope and connection despite the physical separation.

Within the confines of Congress, the Alexanders are constrained by a dress code that prohibits the display of Edan’s picture or signs. However, the report in The Forward indicated that their attire will bear yellow ribbons, sent to all members of Congress with the hope that politicians will don them during the State of the Union, raising awareness about the hostages’ plight.

The presence of hostage family members from both sides of the political spectrum emphasized the bipartisan urgency of this humanitarian crisis. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who has invited Mia Schem, a freed Israeli hostage, underscored the gravity of the situation.

Adi Alexander’s voice trembles with a mixture of pride and anguish as he reflects on the significance of attending the State of the Union address. “Going to the State of the Union is a great honor,” he states solemnly,  the report in The Forward said. “To be there, and for the administration to honor the parents and focus on the ongoing crisis, is important.” His words echo the sentiments shared by other relatives of hostages, united in their determination to shed light on the plight of their loved ones.

Among them is Yael Alexander, whose world was shattered on that fateful morning of October 7th. In a poignant recollection, she describes the last conversation she had with her son, Edan, mere moments before he was thrust into the heart of conflict. “He called me and told me that they were getting bombed. ‘It’s like a war here mom, I’m seeing terrible stuff,'” Yael recounts, as was reported by The Forward,   as her voice was heavy with palpable emotion. “There was a lot of noise. I tried just to calm him, I said, ‘I’m here with you, I love you.’ That was their last phone call. All the texts I sent after didn’t go through,” she added.

Edan, born two decades ago in Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital, had embarked on a journey that led him to the United States at just two months old. Settling in Tenafly, New Jersey, Edan grew up amidst a tight-knit community that now rallies around his family in their darkest hour. Yael reminisces about the outpouring of support from their neighbors, illustrating the profound impact of their solidarity. “After Oct. 7 there were posts from all the Tenafly restaurants on Facebook because they know him,” she recalls, her voice wavering, The Forward reported. “It’s Korean, Japanese, and Indian restaurants. This is the community. People know us, it doesn’t matter if you are Jewish or not. Everyone is supporting us in this hard time.”

The tangible display of support extends beyond social media, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. From billboards plastered across the town to heartfelt gestures from local leaders, Tenafly stands united in its demand for Edan’s safe return, the report on The Forward web site said.”Even the mayor took out billboards,” Yael revealed, her words laden with sorrow. “There is a huge billboard in the middle of town, and one next to the basketball courts showing Edan’s kidnapped poster. It’s like a punch in the stomach each time I see it.”

Edan, a recent graduate of Tenafly High School, was on the brink of embarking on the typical path of higher education. His mother reveals, “He took the SAT exams twice.” Yet, instead of pursuing the traditional route, Edan made a life-altering decision to join Garin Tzabar, a program designed to prepare and support lone soldiers, those who come from outside of Israel, in their service to the military, the report on The Forward web site said. Though under no obligation to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Edan’s desire to serve his ancestral homeland filled his parents with pride.

“Until the Hamas attack, they weren’t worried about him serving in the Golani Brigade. It was peacetime,” Adi reflects. Little did they know that their son’s commitment to service would lead to a harrowing ordeal. Edan found himself surrounded by Hamas terrorists, forced to walk with them into Gaza. The Forward report pointed out that the Alexander family’s glimpse into their son’s plight came through a horrifying recording captured on a GoPro camera, later recovered by the IDF during a battle. Yael describes it as “the scariest movie I ever saw,” a chilling testament to the unimaginable circumstances faced by Edan.

Hope is a fragile anchor for the Alexanders. Despite the lack of any signs of life from Hamas, they cling to the belief that Edan is still alive. Their optimism is tethered to the possibility of progress in securing his release during the upcoming month-long Muslim holiday of Ramadan, as was indicated in the report on The Forward web site.  “Ramadan is a good religious excuse, and I hope they’re going to do it. If not, it will be a total disaster for everyone,” Adi expressed, acknowledging the potential catastrophic consequences for Gaza civilians, hostages, Israel’s economy, and society.

Yael echoes her husband’s sentiments, emphasizing the collective toll of a failure to secure the release. “Everyone will lose,” she laments. In the face of this ongoing tragedy, Yael’s commitment to the cause remains unwavering. “Every day I am in it,” she declares, according to The Forward report. “I am not losing the faith that eventually the deal will come and Edan will be free. You don’t have any option to think differently.” The Alexanders’ story is one of resilience, an enduring testament to a family’s unyielding hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

As Yael and Adi prepare to journey to Washington, D.C., their hearts heavy with longing and hope, their presence serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict.  Amidst the pomp and ceremony of the State of the Union address, their voices, and those of other hostage families, resonate with a plea for justice and compassion. In their unwavering resolve, they embody the enduring spirit of resilience in the face of adversity.

Their silent plea through yellow ribbons is a stark reminder that, amid political differences, the universal call for compassion and humanity should be heard loud and clear.