Schechter Marks 700+ Days of Captivity in Gaza

by Liba Fruithandler, SSLI '28

Last Friday, 700 days passed since October 7, the day Hamas murdered approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals and took 251 hostage in Gaza.

At Schechter, we remember and pray for the remaining hostages by announcing how long the hostages have been in captivity every morning in our minyanim, or daily prayer services, and everyday on the loudspeaker during morning announcements.

In just under a month, we will mark a full two years of the war. Director of Athletics Josh Jurysta said, “We announced it in our community…. There was a profound feeling that … 700 days is just a really long time.”

Freshman Anna Seigel remarked how the sheer number of days has impacted our entire school community. “It’s very hard, because this school has personal connections to one of the hostages … and it’s very sad.”

Today marks 707 days of captivity in Gaza. (@bringhomenow/Instagram)

Omer Neutra H”YD graduated from Schechter in 2019. On October 7, he was murdered by Hamas terrorists. Today, his body is being held captive by Hamas. Jurysta, who taught Omer, said, “Omer was the captain of my volleyball team for three years, I was his teacher, and it’s difficult… It’s really had a big impact on me.”

Schechter students remain hopeful that the living hostages will survive, and that soon all the hostages, including the deceased, will be released to their families. Junior Sam Levenson said, “The hostages can be there and still survive. They can still survive, and hopefully we won’t have to mark another 50 days let alone 100 [days of captivity].”

Liba Fruithandler is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since January 2025. Liba is currently a freshman at Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: lfruithandler28@schechterli.org