Two years ago, we gathered at the Rockland County courthouse, thousands strong, united in grief, shock, anger, and solidarity.

We pledged to pray, stand, advocate and act. And so we did.

Rockland, you came together over the last twenty four months, in your hundreds and your thousands, and you did all of those things. Together.

With us, you rallied, you remembered, you learned. With us, you sought and achieved support, security and solidarity from School Superintendents, Police Chiefs, Town councils and Supervisors, County Executive, Congressional Representatives, Senators, State Legislators and Senators, and the administrations of Presidents Biden and Trump. We thank them all, and all those allies who have stood with us.

You wore and displayed ribbons and flags; you bought blue and white bagels. You read and reviewed Jewish and Zionist books through our AmHasefer.org program. You stood up to the Hamas apologists and blood libelers in village halls and town councils across the county.

You read Tehillim (Psalms) and prayed to the Almighty for the lives of the hostages, healing for the wounded, victory for the brave soldiers and to elevate the souls of those torn away from their families. You did so in gatherings of thousands, and in the dark nights where you couldn’t sleep, as you sat alone contending with sadness, rage, and hopelessness. You dedicated time and space and meaning in your shuls, synagogues, and temples to strengthen the bonds of unity, sisterhood and brotherhood with all of Am Yisrael.

Your heroic Rabbis and spiritual leaders shouldered and carried the burden of saddened and traumatized congregations with grace and wisdom, finding opportunities for learning, giving, and even moments of joy despite the almost overwhelming tide of grief.

You raised over $1.2 million in emergency funds for Israel through our Federation’s Israel Emergency Appeal, and you are still giving to support rebuilding communities and families.

On Wednesday evening, President Trump announced that the first phase of the deal to end the war in Gaza was agreed on by both parties. Israel's Knesset ratified the agreement yesterday. If all goes as agreed, those hostages who are alive may be returning to Israel as early as Monday. And when they do return, I know that I will be saying, as loudly and clearly as I can, Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam, Sh’Hecheyanu, VeKimanu, V’Higiyanu Lazman Hazeh! Blessed are You, our Lord, God of all creation, Who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment!

Two years ago today, on the steps of the courthouse in New City, I said “... though wounded, saddened and angered, we know that even as Hamas wrote the first chapter of the 2023 Gaza war, Israel and the Jewish nation will write the final chapter.” And so, right now, we write it together.

You came together to do your part. Israel, fractured and traumatized as it is, saw a new, young generation take on the responsibility of safeguarding the people and the country, defeating the noose that Iran sought to tighten around Israel from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Judea and Samaria, Yemen, Iraq and from Iran itself. Its proxies are weakened or destroyed. Its arsenal and nuclear threat diminished, deterred and delayed. 20 year-old IDF regulars, 40 year-old miluimnikim (reservists) and 60 year-old veterans who wouldn’t take no for an answer, fought Israel’s longest, hardest, and most unpredictable war and earned the description Dor Hanitzachon - the victorious generation.

There is much to be done, to continue rebuilding destroyed buildings and homes, helping traumatized victims and families, rehabilitating wounded soldiers and civilians and making a fractured society whole. There are questions still to be answered, relationships to be renewed, and a peaceful future to be planned. And though I’ll leave writing about it at length for now, we have challenges ahead right here in America. If we are dedicated to the flowering and blossoming of the garden we know as Jewish communal life, we are responsible to protect it, sheltering it with strong gates and walls. A garden without them is endangered, and a wall protecting nothing is just a collection of bricks and mortar.

None of this will be easy.

But for now, more than any time since that chilly night in New City two years ago, there is real hope.

As the people of Israel-especially the families of the remaining hostages-have done these past days, we recognize and express our gratitude for the leadership and efforts of President Trump, his team, and those who worked to bring this agreement to fruition.

We pray for its successful conclusion in all of its phases. We pray for peace.