Reform Movement Statement on the Return of Ran Gvili’s Body

וְיֵשׁ־תִּקְוָ֥ה לְאַחֲרִיתֵ֖ךְ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְשָׁ֥בוּ בָנִ֖ים לִגְבוּלָֽם׃ (ירמיהו לא:יז)

And there is hope for your future —declares Adonai: Your children shall return to their country. (Jeremiah 31:17)

January 26, 2026 -תשפ"ו  ח׳ שְׁבָט 

The Union for Reform Judaism joins the people of Israel and Jewish communities around the world in marking the return of the body of Ran Gvili z”l, 842 agonizing days since October 7, 2023. This recovery followed an extraordinarily difficult and painstaking effort that underscores both the complexity of locating the fallen amid war and the profound commitment of the State of Israel – and many in the international community – to bring its people home, even when hope has been reduced to grief. The recovery of Ran Gvili marks the final return of all 251 hostages from Gaza to Israel.

The return of Ran’s body brings a painful-but-essential measure of closure. It allows a family to mourn properly, a community to honor a life lost, and a nation to affirm a core moral truth: no one is ever abandoned, and no life is ever forgotten. In Jewish tradition, this act of return is an expression of kavod hamet—human dignity that endures even after death.

At the same time, this moment reminds us that the work is far from finished. Families will continue to grieve their loved ones who did not return alive, and the trauma from October 7 continues to reverberate across Israeli society. Israel now looks toward the long and necessary work of rebuilding Gaza in a post-Hamas reality, restoring security and creating the conditions for a different future. Ran Gvili’s return is part of this slow, painful process – moving forward and acknowledging loss while refusing to be defined by it. And for innocent Palestinians in Gaza, today also marks the start of a new chapter and beginning of the next phase of the ceasefire that we pray will allow for peaceful recovery, rebuilding, and renewal. 

We hold Ran’s family in our hearts and stand in solidarity with all those who are suffering the impact of war and who continue the arduous work of healing. We remain steadfast in our hope that the people of Israel and their neighbors may yet find a path toward renewal, safety, and peace.

May Ran Gvili’s memory be a blessing.

יהי זכרו ברוך

Union for Reform Judaism
Shelley Niceley Groff (she/her)
North American Board Chair

Rabbi Rick Jacobs (he/him)
President

Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi David A. Lyon (he/him)
President

Rabbi Hara Person (she/her)
Chief Executive Officer

American Conference of Cantors
Cantor Josh Breitzer (he/him)
President

Rachel Roth (she/her)
Chief Operating Officer