For the last 2 years, Jews and allies around the world surrounded themselves with daily reminders of the times we’ve been living through. Dog tag necklaces, bracelets, posters, ribbons… all reminding the world that we were in pain. That pieces of our hearts — our family — were being held hostage by those seeking our destruction. We cried universal tears of pain as we learned the fate of those who were no longer with us, and tears of joy as those still living were returned to their families. And then there was one. We held our breath each time a new update came. All along, the daily reminders that we were not whole. The slogans changed. Broken hearts and house emblems were added to the posters telling the world their fate. One by one.

For over two years I wore the Bring Them Home Now dog tag with the hostage pin and Nova exhibit dog tag. A trifecta of pain and tears draped around my neck for the world to see. The chain became a point of connection — in the grocery store, in airports, in Jewish spaces and not. When I saw someone else wearing it, I felt less alone. I’d make eye contact and give a reassuring nod or smile. It brought me into conversation with Itai Chen’s parents on a flight from NYC to Baltimore. It inspired the cashier at Target to tell me she was praying for the Jewish people. It made me stand taller at remembrance events and ceremonies. The chain became part of my daily routine. It became part of me.

When I came in from shoveling snow at my sister’s house on the morning of Monday, January 26th, I was surprised by the flood of alerts lighting up my phone screen. With frozen fingers, I began to scroll. Every message was the same. Ran had been identified and was coming home. The last hostage. The last face. The last justification for the ribbons, pins, dog tags…

After 842 days since October 7th........

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