Many of us are bleary-eyed, having been up much of the night waiting to see images of the hostages returned. We are ecstatic, beyond relieved. They are finally home.

For those who spent hours glued to our phones and televisions, who will ever forget how Hostage Square erupted in cheers? Or the image of the Nova festival site, a place of death and destruction, reclaimed this morning by hundreds of worshippers with lulavs and etrogs? Or the extraordinary unity of a nation that, for those few hours, set aside its differences and came together as one?

There’s a phrase in Tehillim (Psalms) that resonated with a particular hope this morning: Hazorim b'dimah b'rinah yiktzoru — Those who sow with tears will reap with joyful song.

So many tears have been shed these last two years, particularly by hostage families we have come to know so well. Today so many are reaping with joyful song. It is our greatest privilege to witness these long-awaited reunions.

Avinatan Or, reunited at last with his partner, Noa Argamani — whose abduction on a motorcycle was seared into our collective memory.

Yosef-Haim Ohana’s father crying out the Shema and Shehecheyanu prayer as he embraces his son.

Omri Miran playing with his two young daughters.

This is a day we will speak of for generations to come.

And yet, even now, our joyful song is tempered by the ongoing pain of families awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains, and the loss of so many fallen soldiers.

Our work must continue — with no less urgency. We will help the hostages heal, both physically and emotionally. Together with our partners in Israel, we will help rebuild a nation that has endured two years of trauma and grueling war. And in every way we can, we will continue to strengthen and advocate for the democratic Jewish state — our homeland. 

We have witnessed history being written in real time. Now it is on all of us to help carry the next chapter forward.

Chag sameach