On 18 February 2001, in the Karmiel Cultural Center hundreds of residents from the city, surrounding Misgav region, and other areas in the country.....Jews, Arabs, Druze and Beduion.......together shared a moment of hope for the future of their three sons,Benny, Adi, and Omar. Each of us pinned the Blue Ribbon on our shirts, as the sign of hope of their safe return and support of their families as the vigil continues.

These three young soldiers have inadvertantly connected their families for all time through the saga of their being kidnapped together 4 1/2 months ago. Messages, music , song and dance all resounded the same thought...," bring our sons homes, safe and in good health"!!

The heart felt words from Karmiel Mayor Adi Eldar and Misgav Deputy Mayor Baruch Rosen, to the families,with a clear message to the government, were echoed by the mayors of the neighboring Arab and Druze villages, as well as the representatives of each of the families. Each representative reiterated that these sons belong to all of us. Each parent, sibling and family in the audience felt for these brief moments the pain and anquish that the three familes have been feeling for these past months.The support and vigilance of the Baltimore and Pittsburgh communities, the extended family, strengthens the belief of the return of the young soldiers.

Omar Soude's family, represented by his uncle and sister, shared the anquish and pain, and the daily difficulty to explain to his children "why does father not come home".....His uncle demanded that the governement,outgoing and incoming Prime Ministers do everything, including exchange of prisoners to bring the sons home. Simply, he said. "what is the problem to let them go and bring our sons home safely?"

Avi Avitan's father added to this demand that other countries demand the return of these soldiers, to stand together with Israel. After 135 days of waiting, hoping, praying for Adi's return, marking his 21st birthday on 27 December with a prayer of hope, the family stills has NO information regarding the conditon of their son.

Benny Avraham's father pleaded for information regarding his son's well being. 20 weeks of sleepless nights, days of tears, hope and prayers, negotiatiions by the governement have thus far resulted in "NO NEWS....only negotiations".

Moments of quiet, tears, a feeling of struggling together, neighbors anquishing for their sons filled the hall. Each person in his own manner, through verbal pleas, song and dance , clasping hands searched for the solution. Easily there could be despair by all the families, and indeed all the country, but, no, each family reiterated in special messages for their sons that they wait, hope and pray for their safe return, and will do so until we join together again, with G-d's help, for a homecoming celebration.

Unlike other perfomances and events in the Cultural Center, this one had no final curtain, no curtain calls, rather the people present reached out to each other with a hug and a moment of hope.

The search goes on, the prayers continue, and hope stays alive for the safe return of Omar, Benny and Adi.

Shvat 5761 - February 2001