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Havdalah in Hostage Square: Faith Overcomes Despair

Havdalah in Hostage Square: Faith Overcomes Despair

Last updated on: January 31, 2025 at 9:24 am by Susan P Lax

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Havdalah in Hostage Square: Faith Overcomes Despair 2025-01-31T09:24:27-05:00 Susan P Lax

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Chenspec, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Hostage Square you can find this colorful display of rocks representing hope for the hostages. Some rocks have names of hostages, the number of days, bring them home, Nova, and all words and symbols that continue to keep the hostages and hope alive. Never forget. | Image courtesy of Chenspec, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hostage Square: A Gathering Place of Solidarity

In front of the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, not far from my apartment lies Hostage Square, a gathering place of solidarity.

This square has become a place where families of hostages receive support, and a weekly rally takes place.

People congregate for Havdalah every Sat. night, before the start of the rally.

Brought together by faith and a desire to overcome despair, and united by an unwavering demand: bring them home.

A Ritual that Restores Faith

For almost 16 months, voices of pain, grief and resilience have echoed in Hostage Square.
Faces of those kidnapped are spread somberly on posters throughout the square.

The square has become a living testimony- to where determination meets the open wounds of grief.

In this place, a ritual that restores faith has emerged.

Havdalah, a ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat, the transition from holy to ordinary.

But in Hostage Square its most profound meaning is: the light will always return.

Man Embracing Friend

People congregate for Havdalah every Sat. night, before the start of the rally. | Photo-Susan P. Lax-Havdalah at Hostage Square.

At Havdalah in Hostage Square, Faith Becomes Tangible.

I have struggled with my faith these long months.

But joining Havdalah at Hostage Square has reacquainted me with its gifts.

I attended to support my dear friend Lee Seigel, brother of Keith Seigel held hostage in Gaza.

Lee, a dedicated member of the Reform Movement in Israel, regularly speaks at the Havdalah service in Hostage Square.

To my surprise and gratitude, I experienced a transformation- from moments of despair to sparks of possibility.

I was embraced by the uplifting communal singing of love and hope.

As another week of uncertainty began, arms wrapped around each other, offering support and solidarity.

Braided Havdalah candles held high, their flames bright and strong.

Sweet spices passed from hand to hand, a reminder that sweetness exists amongst sorrow.

At Havdalah in Hostage Square, faith becomes tangible.

More Than a Traditional Ceremony, a Place that Defies Despair

With Bibi Netanyahu finally signing a hostage agreement, the emotional turmoil of waiting hangs heavy in the air.

Havdalah at Hostage Square has become a beacon of light and collective compassion.

This is much more than a traditional ceremony –

It is a place to fight hopelessness and despair.

A clear reminder that those taken are not forgotten and their families are not alone.

May Peace be Restored to All

The news that Keith Seigel will be released alongside two other hostages on Saturday arrived just as I was about to publish this column.

May they all return to the arms of their loved ones,

And may peace be restored to all.

I am creator of the “Morning Inspiration” series, which provides readers with reflections and thoughts to start their day with spiritual inspiration.

If you feel the calling to receive it you can do so HERE

About Susan P. Lax

When one of Susan’s closest friends was fighting cancer and had to focus on trying to heal, they didn’t speak as often as they once did. To make sure Stephanie knew that Susan was always thinking of her each day, Susan emailed her friend a healing, positive thought first thing in the morning. Slowly, Susan discovered an ability to translate her heart words into written ones and more and more people began to receive Susan’s “Morning Inspiration” which is from where her book, A HEART’S LANDSCAPE, derived. Right now, especially with all happening in the world, Susan offers deep reminders with words and warm visuals – to take a moment and just pause – get away from the inundation and put the chaos away. Susan’s heart words and inspiring visuals guide readers to take a moment and escape all adversity and focus on carving out one joyful moment with the hope that it will lead to other good moments. You can read more about the author here.

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