100 days...A march, a man and a hostage.
BRING THEM HOME NOW!
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I cherish the memories of my childhood, growing up during a peaceful and carefree time. The 10 pm commercial asking parents if they knew where their child was is a vivid reminder of the sense of safety that characterized that era. Most nights, by the time that commercial aired, I and many others were already tucked into our beds upstairs, well-fed, bathed, and smelling pleasantly of Mr. Bubbles. Those were simpler times, and the comforting routines of bedtime and hygiene contributed to a carefree and innocent atmosphere. I looked forward to the warmth of my canopy bed as I snuggled under my covers and deep into my pillow. I knew when I lay my head down, when I woke the next morning, my family would be there. As a child I never feared they would be gone.
That is not happening now for many.
Can you fathom the anguish of not laying eyes on a cherished family member whom you love for an agonizing 100 days because someone yanked them from you? Picture the bone-chilling cold seeping into your very core, the profound void in your heart, and the unrelenting fear gripping you for their safety, for your own well-being, and the collective welfare of your family. For one hundred days, fear ensnared too many families and an entire nation in its unyielding grip.
When I made the decision to embark on a journey to Israel, the anticipation was rife with the expectation of creating lasting memories. Little did I know what awaited me. Serendipity, characterized by chance occurrences devoid of intervention from a higher power, has never been something I believed in. Conversely, fate emerged as a formidable force, a force which has shown up many times in my life.
When I went on my trip, two members of my community were dealing with a hostage situation involving seven family members. In an act fueled by loving-kindness, I reached out to them, extending an offer to be a liaison during my stay. Across six thousand miles and continents away, fate wove the threads that connected us, binding our stories inextricably.
100 Day March and Rally: Bring Them Home!
Today marked a pivotal moment as my community assembled for a rally, united in honoring the hostages enduring ONE HUNDRED DAYS of captivity, fervently demanding their release. We held signs high, adorned with the names of the one-hundred twenty-nine hostages as we traversed from one end of the main street to the town square. Amidst the crowd, I walked behind two older individuals who shared a poignant connection.
Summoning the courage to introduce myself, I extended my business card to the couple, expressing a desire for them to read about my experiences in Israel. At that moment, I discovered their names—Marion and Stanley as it turns out, these were the same people I had been exchanging emails with, sparked by me reaching out and offering support and then Stanley’s request for my writings on Israel. It was a profound honor to meet them, especially considering Stanley’s role as the Secretary/Treasurer of Voice4Israel.com.
As we continued our march, chanting the rallying cry of “BRING THEM HOME,” our shared commitment echoed through the streets. Upon reaching the town center, where the collective energy surged, the organizers invited speakers to the stage. Among them was Marion, and as her name echoed through the air, I couldn’t help but turn my head in surprise.
“Let’s bring up Marion Robboy, cousin of Tal Shoham.”
Video: Marion Robboy speaking at 100 Day Rally: Bring Them Home
In that instant, my heart raced. Tal Shoham—could this be the same person? Memories of meeting Gilad Korngold, Tal Shoham’s father, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv flooded my mind. The encounter, initially like mere serendipity, now resonated as something more profound—fate. Gilad Korngold generously granted me an interview, and now, as Marion took the stage, I stood there in awe, feeling an inexplicable deeper connection with her and Stanley in this poignant moment.
Fate, with its enigmatic design intricately wove together the rally to honor the hostages, the march through the streets, and the chance encounter with Marion and Stanley, highlighting that they were not isolated incidents. As we stood united in our collective plea for the release of those held captive for ONE HUNDRED DAYS, the threads of fate tightened, creating a profound connection that surpassed the boundaries of mere chance. The revelation that Marion was the cousin of Tal Shoham, whom I had encountered in Tel Aviv, further reinforced this notion. In that moment, the threads of destiny seemed to tighten, forging bonds that transcended the ordinary and hinted at a shared journey fueled by a force beyond our control.
Now, as I prepare to unravel the tale that Gilad will shared with me, I sense that each word, each revelation, is a crucial stitch in the ongoing narrative of fate. The uncertainty of where this thread begins or ends only deepens the anticipation, underscoring the mysterious and inexorable nature of the forces that bind us together.
Below is the interview with Gilad and Nitza Korngold. This interview took place on January 2, 2024 at Hostages Square, Tel Aviv when I met Nitza and Gilad Korgold, parents of Tal Shoham. Please read “Hostages Square: Bring Them Home” which is the post I wrote after going to Hostages Square and meeting both Gilad and his wife, Nitza.
In my initial conversation, I spoke with Nitza, Tal’s mother, a woman adorned with a shirt bearing the poignant plea "BRING HIM HOME," with his image hauntingly framed in the background. Despite her outward strength, there was a fragility in her voice that revealed the emotional toll she bore. Bravely, she stood before us, navigating the complexities of her broken English to convey her message. Pointing to pictures adorning the walls of the Kibbutz Be’eri booth, Nitza painted a vivid yet somber picture of a story that transcended language, embodying a powerful plea for the return of a loved one.
“This is my granddaughter, Yahel. We had seven family members held hostage. One was murdered. My son Tal is still there.”
“Where are the children now?”
“They are both home now with their mother.”
“How are the children doing?”
“It’s hard. My grandson has nightmares. Yahel is doing better than he is. His mother is having a very hard time.”
Her finger moves down, toward a woman’s photo.
“This is my daughter-in-law, Yahel’s mother.”
The weight of the emotional rollercoaster takes its toll on Nitza as she shows me a glimpse of Tal. Wearing the plea "BRING HIM HOME," her voice trembles with a palpable fragility, and it's evident that the journey into the harrowing details has drained her energy. In an act of self-preservation, she steps away, intending to bring her husband to continue the narrative.
The depth of Nitza's vulnerability is apparent, as she grapples with the immense challenge of revisiting and articulating the horrors inflicted upon her family. It's a stark reminder of the resilience required to share such a deeply personal and painful story with a stranger, while simultaneously attempting to maintain composure. This poignant moment underscores the emotional toll carried by those who endure the unthinkable, as they navigate the delicate balance between sharing their truth and preserving their own well-being.
NOTE: The verbiage was not altered. The wording in the interview is exactly how it was transcribed from the audio.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Gilad Korngold.”
Gilad, a towering and robust figure, exudes a stoic demeanor. Clad in jeans and a t-shirt adorned with his son's picture, the weight of the message becomes palpable. Beneath the image, the poignant words "The whole family is waiting for you to come home" serve as a stark reminder of the profound pain etched on this man's heart.
His physical stature, coupled with the emotionally charged attire, creates a striking juxtaposition—a symbol of the strength required to face the ongoing ordeal, and a testament to the love and longing that permeate every fiber of Gilad's being. In the midst of such adversity, he stands resolute, a visual embodiment of the enduring hope and unwavering determination to reunite with his son.
“I want to start by saying Tal’s last name is SHOHAM. When he got married they changed the last name because they wanted to begin everything from zero.”
“That is beautiful. I have heard of other Israeli’s doing that as well.”
“He is 38 years old and will be 39 years old next week. He was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri with seven family members. My daughter in law, her mother, her aunt, her daughter, my grandson of 8 years old, my granddaughter Yahel 3 ½ years old, the other grandfather was murdered.”
Have you received updates about Tal?
My son was taken alive. I need to say that. It is what I need to say and what I need to believe. We know for sure because he was taken with another family. There was a father, his wife, and his daughter taken in the same car. My son was taken from the safe room alive walking, with clothes. It’s very important for me to say alive. They threw him into a car trunk, the back. Since then he disappeared in Gaza. Almost 84 days and we don’t have any clue.
“I understand hope and faith. I am here with you and believe alongside you that Tal is alive. Everyday I believe each of the one hundred twenty-nine are alive. Do everything you can to keep that hope alive. Can you share with me about your other family members?”
“My other family came in the first deal. It’s a very very tough situation to recover the family. My grand daughter she is okay. My grandson he saw everything on the kibbutz.”
“How old is your grandson?”
“He is eight years old.”
“That is so very young. How is he doing?”
“He is not sleeping well at night. He sleeps at night together with his mother. He has nightmares. The mother is in a lot of pain. She is very confused. She doesn’t leave the kids one moment alone.”
“That’s very understandable. After witnessing the tragedies they did, I imagine that will be with them for a very long time. Having your family ripped apart like that is horrifying.”
“Yes, yes”
“Some of the mothers and children came home, how are families doing without the fathers?”
“All the families that came from Gaza, they need the fathers to recover. Without the fathers there is no way to recover. No way. I tell you no way. At least my son was the center in his family. They loved to travel in Israel, the desert. They stayed one week in the desert. Tal was very active and enjoyed so many activities. More than anything he loves his family.”
“How are you and your wife getting through this every day?”
“I don’t understand how I, we are getting through it. At night I take sleeping pills so at least I sleep five hours good. During the day I try in my mind not to think about it. During the day I am working. I am interviewing. Last time I met in Berlin I met the Qatar ambassadors and in Vienna also. Because I am not political I can talk directly and ask things. I met in Berlin at the parliament and at Vienna parliament. Whatever. I can travel. I have Austrian citizenship and can travel freely.”
“It seems like you have been able to get a lot done with some very high power people. It’s great that you are able to travel and remain steadfast. What kind of support do you receive from the government?
“Physical things? We have everything that we need. We really do. It’s unbelievable but it’s true. On the other side, I have an officer that I get from the army every time there is something new or questions we meet at least once a week. When my family and my grandson was there, so it was two officers three times a week. We feel we don’t need so much because there is not so much news.
“Have you discussed how and when you are to receive information regarding Tal?”
“We agreed that they never tell me at night if there is bad news. It can wait till the morning. We agreed that when he calls me, start with “nothing new” or “so I know” this helps me to prepare.
“Are you living at home or in a hotel currently?”
“I told my wife just now, we are months out of our house. We need to go back to our house. We can’t leave the house empty. We live in the hotel near Herzliya near my son, my grandson to help them. So physically we don’t lack anything.
“It must be so hard feeling displaced living in a hotel. There is so much upheaval in your life right now. Are you receiving appropriate emotional support?”
We have special social workers that work with us. Wonderful, wonderful. We really trust them. You need to trust them if you want to talk. We have a mission in our life. We need to continue. To get free all of the hostages.”
“You are a very strong and courageous man. You sound resolute in your goal, your mission.”
“Yes, yes. Because all of the hostages is the main issue and inside is my son.”
“I hope to share my writing and show that you, Nitza, Tal, and your family are people with faces, feelings and lives. You are not just hostages or victims, you are all human, real and raw. No family deserves to be torn apart the way all of the families here have been.”
I tell you the truth. My main goal is to release Tal but I can’t do it alone without all these families. We decided in the beginning that even the families who are released will continue to help until the last one is out.
JENNIFER: “I have a question, I am an Israeli citizen. I have been here for over thirty years. What can I do to support the families as an Israeli citizen.”
I tell you, that you come to Hostage Square and you interview and publish the stories, whatever everybody says, that matters. Tell another story. It’s very important to support us if you are on the right side of the political wing because we have to press the government. We have huge, huge problems here with Gaza here in the North. I think, the families never get one second quiet. We need to release the one hundred twenty nine. If you are on the right side, then this is supporting. Talk, tell your communities. If you are on the other side…it’s okay? Not everybody agrees with my side. It’s not political. It’s understanding that the hostages are the human shields between Gaza and Israel and inside the army is supposed to be the human shield between Gaza and us. So nobody make me a favor. They must to release my family and all of the families and end this story. Without ending this story, nothing can go back to normal.
“What can people in the United States do to help?”
“Listen, The United States is the main power in negotiations now between Egypt, Israel and Qatar. Press the government. Write to your Congressman, go to community gatherings, send letters to government officials. Support Israel as much as you can. If you can talk, then talk. If you can go to demonstrations, do demonstrations.”
“Thank you for your time, Gilad, and please convey my gratitude to Nitza as well. My heart echoes your hope for the safe return of all hostages to their families. It has been an honor and a blessing to meet you, to share a glimpse of your life, and to feel the strength of your resilience. May Tal come back to you swiftly, and may all families experience the joy of reunification. Am Yisroel Chai.”
With a hug, we part.
The poignant encounter concludes as Gilad’s cousin steps forward, enveloping him in a comforting hug—a poignant symbol signaling the completion of our time together. The visible depletion of Gilad’s energy underscores the emotional weight carried throughout our conversation. Fortunately, his cousin steps in, becoming a source of strength, love, and courage, filling the void left by the emotional toll of the shared narrative.
In this tender moment, the exchange of support speaks volumes about the resilience within the bonds of family. It becomes a testament to the importance of collective strength, especially in the face of challenging and emotionally charged discussions. As Gilad receives the support he deserves, it serves as a reminder of the profound impact that compassion and connection can have in moments of vulnerability.
Am Yisroel Chai!
Chellie
If you want to make a difference and help, below are some ways. Please check them out.
Email the Israeli Embassy at Solidarityusa@washington.mfa.gov.il for additional information on how you can get involved or donate.
Thank you for writing such a beautiful and powerful article.
Beautifully written Chellie. You not only helped Jen but you made a difference to Tal’s family in Israel and here in America.