Edited by: Fern Sidman

On Sunday, November 5th, nearly a thousand Long Island residents, along with local politicians and the parents of Omer Neutra, a 22-year-old Plainview, New York resident who was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7th in Israel. They gathered for a rally and prayer vigil at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park with a singular purpose: to bring him home. The event was a powerful demonstration of unity and support for Omer Neutra and the 240 hostages, including ten Americans, who were abducted. Among the hostages are infants, children, women, and elderly citizens from both the United States and Israel.

In the wake of their deadly invasion into the Gaza border communities on October7th,  the Hamas terrorists committed the kind of unspeakable atrocities that are normally associated with the Nazi slaughter of Jews during the Holocaust years of World War II. Over 1400 Israelis and others were shot execution style, women were raped, babies were beheaded and scores of people were burned alive.  Over 5000 were severely injured as well.

The rally was organized by Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino and featured prominent speakers such as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the parents of Omer Neutra, Ronan and Orna Neutra. Throughout the evening, the crowd fervently chanted, “Bring Omer Home” and “Bring All the Hostages Home,” underscoring the shared determination to see these individuals safely returned.

The Neutra family, particularly Omer’s parents, took center stage at the rally, delivering a message imbued with raw emotion. They spoke of their son, a young man who chose to join the Israeli Army to stand by and defend Israel, exemplifying the deep-rooted bond between American and Israeli citizens. In a defiant and poignant moment, they proclaimed, “Am Yisrael Chai” – The Nation of Israel Lives. Their words resonated powerfully with the assembled crowd, who stood united in support of the Neutra family’s unwavering resolve.

Omer Neutra was an honors student at Schecter Yeshiva in Williston Park, where he excelled both academically and on the basketball court. After graduating, he embarked on a gap year in Israel to connect with his family’s roots. During that time, he made the life-changing decision to stay and join the Israeli military. His decision to serve his homeland was met with immense pride and support from his family and community.

The community of Plainview, particularly his synagogue in Syosset, came together earlier in October to raise awareness and to show support to the Neutra family during this harrowing time. A sign outside the Syosset synagogue reads, “Bring Omer home,” reflecting the deep concern and hope for his safe return.

Rabbi Joel Levenson of the Midway Jewish Center, where Omer grew up and became bar mitzvah, expressed the community’s overwhelming support for the missing soldier. He highlighted Omer’s strong ties to the congregation, making this situation even more personal for the community.

Emotion poured forth from Rabbi Levenson as the Midway Jewish Center received an outpouring of donations to help the Neutra family. The support demonstrated the deep sense of unity and solidarity among the Long Island residents during this trying time. “Sitting hostage is a boy who turns 22 this week,” Rabbi Levenson said, emphasizing the urgency of Omer’s situation.

Omer Neutra’s service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and his subsequent abduction, alongside the other American and Israeli hostages, symbolize the unbreakable unity of the vast majority of Americans and Israelis in denouncing the brutal and violent actions of the Hamas terrorists responsible for these kidnappings. The rally, marked by its peaceful conclusion, reinforced the collective plea for the safe return of all the hostages.

In a world often marked by divisions, this gathering in Long Island served as a testament to the strength of shared values, unity, and the resolute belief in the fundamental principle that every individual, regardless of their nationality, deserves to be brought home safely. The Long Island community, together with concerned citizens and politicians, remains committed to doing everything in their power to ensure the safe return of Omer Neutra and all the hostages involved in this distressing situation.