Many are rejoicing at news of the latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began on Jan. 19. Maureen Leshem of Toronto has even more reason than most to feel relief. Her cousin, 24-year-old Romi Gonen, was one of the three Israeli hostages set free on Jan. 19, after being held for 471 days in Gaza. Finally, she was released from captivity as part of the ceasefire which is expected to last six weeks.
Meanwhile, Aharon Brodutch found it hard to watch the coverage of this new round of freed hostages, because it reminded him of how four members of his own family were released from Gaza over a year ago, in November 2023. His sister-in-law, Hagar Brodutch, and her three young children, spent 51 days in Gaza after being captured during the terrorist rampage through their home on Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
On today’s episode of The CJN Daily, we’ll hear from Aharon Brodutch, who shares details about what the rehabilitation process for freed hostages looks like, and also from Maureen Leshem about what the release of her young cousin means—and why they continue to advocate for the release of the remaining 95 hostages.
Related links
- Donate to the Rise for Romi fund to send financial help directly to Romi Gonen’s family to help her heal.
- Hear Aharon Brodutch on The CJN Daily in November 2023, shortly after his Israeli sister-in-law and her three children were released from captivity.
- Read more about Iris Weinstein Haggai’s campaign to have the body of her mother, Judih Weinstein Haggai, returned from Gaza, in The CJN.
Credits
- Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner)
- Production team: Zachary Kauffman (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer)
- Music: Dov Beck-Levine
Support our show
- Subscribe to The CJN newsletter
- Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)
- Subscribe to The CJN Daily (Not sure how? Click here)
