From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Freed hostage Karina Ariev helps take down poster of her face at Jerusalem synagogue
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Freed hostage Karina Ariev joined the community of Jerusalem’s Kol Haneshama synagogue yesterday to take down a banner featuring her image and the call to bring her home.
Ariev is one of the five surveillance soldiers taken hostage on October 7 from the Nahal Oz army base, and she was released from Gaza a month ago.
The synagogue, situated at the capital’s busy Oranim intersection, had hung the banner where it was visible to traffic and pedestrians, and at the many rallies and sit-ins held at the corner. Ariev’s cousin, Anna Astamker, is the executive director of the Reform synagogue.
When Ariev was released home, synagogue members first adjusted the banner to read, “Karina is home.”
After Ariev returned from captivity in Gaza and heard about the demonstrations and efforts for her and other hostages at this corner, she asked the community to wait for her to join them in taking down the banner.
Alongside family members, Ariev yesterday helped take down the banner featuring her face, and hung a new banner reading: “Karina came home, we’ll continue until everyone comes home.”
The Times of Israel Community.