Alon Ohel, one of more than 100 people captured by Hamas during an Oct. 7 attack on Israel, remains a hostage nine months later.

He was taken by Hamas at the Nova music festival, an outdoor dance party near the Gaza border.

Jeff Finkelstein, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, met with Ohel’s parents during a recent trip to Israel.

Finkelstein said Sunday he had told Ohel’s parents about the weekly gatherings where dozens of people meet in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood to voice support for the hostages and their families. Ohel’s parents, he said, were grateful for the solidarity from around the world.

“His parents are begging for his release,” Finkelstein said.

Exactly nine months after Ohel and others were captured, dozens of people again rallied on the corner of Murray Avenue and Darlington Road in Squirrel Hill in support of releasing hostages.

They recited psalms, read the names of people recently killed in the Israel-Hamas war and held signs showing the faces of hostages. Many wore stickers with the number 275 on them in honor of the number of days hostages have been held by Hamas.

They told stories of hostages who were taken while trying to protect their families or hide in bomb shelters. They shared the names of hostages who loved their families, played sports and found creative ways to give back to their communities.

“It’s another day that these hostages are not with their families, not with their friends,” Finkelstein said. “The world needs to be speaking up about this.”

The volunteer-led group that puts the event together each week, he said, does so to ensure that the hostages aren’t forgotten and in hopes elected officials will be moved to action.

“We need to keep up the pressure and keep reminding the world there are hostages being held, including American citizens,” he said.

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Dave McCormick said the government’s most “fundamental responsibility” is to protect its citizens — and that includes freeing American hostages and helping Israel do the same, he said.

“We need to demand day in and day out that we bring our hostages home,” he said.

McCormick, who in January traveled to Israel and met with families whose loved ones were being held hostage, said the hostages and their families “need to know we’re thinking about them, praying about them every day.”

Finkelstein said the fact it’s been nine months is “unthinkable, yet it’s a reality.”

But, over that time, he said, Jews of all sects — as well as non-Jewish partners — have come together every week for a common cause and to support each other through challenging times.

“On the freeing of the hostages, we are completely united,” he said.

During Saturday’s event, some people expressed hope hostages might soon be freed; others expressed desperation.

Sarah Kendis, a musician and pro-Israel advocate, condemned the “blatant hate” she sometimes feels against Jews, especially in the midst of the ongoing conflict. Since the Oct. 7 attack, she said, it’s felt like “being stuck in limbo” while waiting on good news for those who remain hostages.

“It’s hard not to feel despair,” said Mor Greenberg, who serves as director of public affairs for Pittsburgh-based media company Coldspark and was born in Israel. “We’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep fighting. We’re going to keep advocating.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)