‘Commanded to be hopeful’: Augusta Jewish community celebrates hostage release

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Jewish community is expressing cautious optimism following Monday’s hostage and prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel, marking what many hope could be the beginning of the end of a devastating two-year conflict.

At Adas Yeshurun Synagogue, where congregants were celebrating Sukkot — a holiday to both celebrate and remember lost loved ones — the news of the ceasefire deal has brought a mixture of relief and continued concern.

“We pray for Israel, we pray for peace in Jerusalem, multiple times a day, every day,” said Rabbi David Sirull, who leads the synagogue where the war in Gaza has remained a constant focus over the past two years.

The rabbi described the hostage release as potentially significant for the region’s future.

“I want to call it the beginning of the end,” Sirull said. “We would certainly like to see peace in that region forever.”

The impact of the potential end of the war is being felt in Augusta, where the Jewish community has maintained daily prayers for peace throughout the conflict. However, Sirull acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding recent developments.

“We’re happy at the moment, but we’re also very mindful of the sadness associated with all of it as well,” he said.

Throughout the two-year conflict, Sirull said the broader Augusta faith community has provided support to the Jewish congregation.

“This community has always been very special to me, very welcoming,” said Sirull. “I’m very grateful for the relationship that we have with the faith community at large.”

The Adas Yeshurun congregation has incorporated prayers for Middle East peace into every service over the past two years. Even with the recent hostage release, Sirull said those prayers will continue.

“The national anthem for Israel is known as Hatikvah, and that word in Hebrew means hope,” said Sirull. “So we’re commanded to be hopeful, and so we certainly do hope that this will usher in a new era, a peaceful era.”

The Augusta Jewish community plans to continue praying for peace while mourning those lost throughout the ongoing conflict.

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