ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — As the 20 living hostages were released to their families, local religious organizations and elected leaders are weighing in.
Members of the local Jewish community say the release of the hostages feels like a breath of fresh air.
“For the first time in 738 days, I was able to take these two symbols off. One is a pin of a yellow ribbon and the other is a dog tag, basically saying the same thing, that we are shattered,” said Myra Clark-Siegel, Regional Director for the American Jewish Committee.
October 13th 2025 also marks the start of the Jewish holiday Shemini Atzeret
“This is a historic moment, one that truly could be pivotal in the Middle East and could move us for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians and frankly the entire region and entire world,” said Clark-Siegel. “That is not an understatement and we need to ensure that we do not let this moment pass.”
Over the last two years CBS6 has talked to Hank Greenberg a representative from the Northeast Jewish Federation, he’s hopeful progress can be made.
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“Now that we see a peace process fully underway in which all of the critical stakeholders in the middle east and nations around the world are actively encouraging the Jewish community to take action and participate in,” said Greenberg.
Jim McCabe, a spokesperson for the group Columbia County for Palestine said in a statement, “The release of hostages is one small piece of the larger struggle for Palestinian liberation.”
They’ll be among other groups at a rally on Thursday calling on NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to stop using a state pension fund to buy Israel bonds.
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Governor Hochul released a statement saying in part: “I’m grateful to the administration for its role in securing the hostages’ release. With their return and a permanent ceasefire, I’m hopeful that vital aid will soon reach families suffering in Gaza and that today marks the beginning of a new chapter of lasting peace and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”