Hundreds celebrate Alexander’s release in his New Jersey hometown

By Luke Tress

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12 May 2025, 7:52 pm Edit

Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.

Hundreds celebrate Edan Alexander’s release in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, May 12, 2025. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

A crowd of hundreds celebrates Edan Alexander’s release in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey.

The crowd watches a broadcast of Israeli news and erupts in cheers when it hears that Alexander is with the IDF.

Students draped in Israeli flags dance at the front and sing to the Hebrew pop song “Happiness Revolution.” The group then chants “Bring them home” for the hostages remaining in Gaza.

Many in the crowd are from local high schools. Students say the public school excused pupils from class for the day. The town has a large Jewish and Israeli expat population.

Some in the crowd cry and embrace. Many wave Israeli flags and wear shirts with Alexander’s image.