Cookies, Stories, and Hope: Honoring Hostages at Camp George
This week, I had the opportunity to visit Camp George and run a special program that I’ve been regularly conducting at home as part of the “Candles for Israel” gathering that my husband and I host every Friday afternoon. One key aspect of this program is preparing a favourite recipe of one of the hostages and sharing their story with the group. I began this practice because I felt it was important to truly know who these hostages were before their captivity—their hobbies, interests, and what their loved ones have to say about them. It’s a way to keep their memory alive and to honour and emphasize their individuality.
At Camp George, the day was organized into rotations with each unit. We began by having everyone wear a piece of tape on their chest marked with the number 311, representing the days since October 7th that these hostages have been held in captivity in Gaza. We discussed the significance of this, inspired by Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who urges people to do this every day to raise awareness and ensure these individuals are not forgotten.
Each table where the campers sat featured artwork depicting Hersh’s life, created by artist Naomi Gal (@naomigal), showing his story through caricatures. We showed a video of Hersh, a 23-year-old, full of life—laughing, dancing, hiking, and spending time with his friends and family – living the life of a typical 23-year-old. One of the Shinshinim shared a biography of Hersh, emphasizing the importance of continuing to talk about the hostages and raising awareness about their plight.
Before making Hersh’s favourite chocolate chip cookies, I asked each group to reflect on the messages they would like included in a prayer for the hostages. The responses were profound, ranging from the youngest campers to the Israeli staff members. Afterward, the campers made and enjoyed Hersh’s cookies.
In the evening, I led a similar program for the CITs and staff, where we not only shared Hersh’s story but also spotlighted additional hostages: Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Liri Albag, Evyatar David, and Daniela Gilboa. This session was especially meaningful because some of the Israeli staff had personal connections with these hostages. They shared videos and stories, and we baked Guy’s favorite butter cookies, shaping them into ribbons and dipping them in chocolate.
The engagement from everyone throughout the day was remarkable—you could have heard a pin drop during the presentations. I was deeply moved by how many campers and staff approached me afterward, expressing how deeply meaningful the program was and how much they appreciated it. And, of course, everyone loved the cookies! Each participant left with a copy of the recipe and a bio of the hostage to take home and share with their family and friends, continuing to raise awareness within their own circles.
After the programs concluded, I worked with Head Song Leader, Hannah Ginsberg (yes, she’s my daughter!) to compile all the prayer thoughts gathered throughout the day into a Camp George Prayer for the Hostages. This entire experience was an incredible privilege, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute in this way.
BRING THEM HOME NOW!
Blog written by: Bronna Ginsberg
The following prayer, written by Hannah Ginsberg, reflects the collective thoughts of everyone at the camp during this program:
Avinu shebashamayim prayer for the hostages
Avinu Shebashamayim
We come before You with heavy hearts, praying for the safe return of those taken captive on October 7th. Please watch over them, guiding them safely home to us, b’shalom.
Grant them the strength to endure this ordeal, reminding them they are never alone. May Your protective presence keep them safe, and may they find the sustenance they need to survive—physically, mentally and spiritually.
Please, Adonai, give them the courage to push through these challenging times and never lose hope, and may they never again experience such pain and fear. Strengthen their resolve to keep fighting, knowing that Your justice will prevail.
We pray that they know how deeply they are cared for, and that many are fighting for their freedom and well-being. Shield them from further physical and mental harm, and bring them back to us quickly in time for Rosh Hashanah so they can celebrate with their families surrounded by love.
When they are released, may they and their families receive the proper care and treatment they need to heal from this trauma. May their privacy be respected and may they be welcomed back into their communities with open arms and full hearts. May their voices be heard by all, and their stories be respected, retold and valued.
We ask for peace and harmony in their lives and in our world. May they receive justice for all that they have endured. Hashem, Shomea Tefillah, hear our prayers for these precious souls. May they soon return to the loving embrace of their families and friends.
And let us say: Amen.
