On Sunday, November 2nd, the remains of Captain Omer Neutra H”YD were returned to Israel after 757 days in captivity. Omer was an SSLI alumnus and a beloved member of our community. In honor of this milestone, students in grades 6-12 gathered for a special minyan, beginning with a symbolic Havdalah service to mark the end of our time awaiting his return. To open the ceremony, Student Government Vice President Shir Levenson (’26) shared a few words:

Each week, as Shabbat comes to a close, we have Havdalah, the ceremony that marks changes and transitions: from holy time to the rest of the week (בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל), from light to dark (בֵּין אוֹר לְחֹשֶׁךְ), between Jewish people and the rest of the world (בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים), and from Shabbat and the 6 days of creation (בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה).

Today, we honor another kind of Havdalah, a separation. We are moving from a place of uncertainty, advocacy, fighting, and waiting to a sort of peaceful sadness and closure. Just as Havdalah helps us step from the holiness of Shabbat into the challenges of the week, this moment reminds us that even endings can carry both pain and holiness. We can breathe a little easier knowing that Omer has been brought home, that his family, the Neutras, can finally say goodbye, and that his story will be remembered and retold. However, we also hold the pain and hope of the families of the remaining 8 hostages who have yet to be returned.

Ronen Neutra said yesterday, “.עומר שלנו על אדמת ישראל, סוף סוף. כמה כאב וכמה הקלה” “Our Omer is finally on Israeli soil. How much pain and how much relief.”

As we, as a community, enter this new time and space, where we hold both truths together, gratitude for closure and strength for those still waiting for their loved ones. May Omer’s memory always be a blessing and an inspiration for us and for many generations to come.