Simchat Torah begins tomorrow evening – on this Jewish holiday two years ago, the terrorist organisation Hamas attacked Israel. Today, after more than two years in captivity, the last surviving 20 hostages have returned to their families! We share the relief and joy of the Jewish community in Israel, Germany and worldwide at their return!
We are particularly touched by the first pictures of the twins Ziv and Gali Berman being reunited with their family. Their mother, brother and aunt visited Augsburg a few months after the hostage-taking to raise awareness of the brothers’ fate. Since then, we have felt a special bond with the family.
At the same time, we mourn with the families and friends of the 28 hostages who did not return alive.
In recent months, many of our visitors have also expressed their solidarity: small yellow ‘birds of freedom’ made of clay by Augsburg artist Lena Kol were available to take home from the museum. In return for a donation to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the birds became visible signs of solidarity. The former hostages will now start a new life after captivity and continue to appreciate your solidarity.
We now turn our hopes to the future: we hope for lasting peace in the region.
October 13, 2025