The release of Judith and Natalie Raanan, two American hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in a bloody massacre in Israel two weeks ago, is “more than a miracle”, the family’s rabbi told DailyMail.com.
Rabbi Meir Hecht, 42, said at his home in Evanston, the former prisoners’ hometown just outside Chicago, that their freedom was a sign that “the power of light always prevails over evil and darkness.”
Judith, a 59-year-old artist who was always present at the rabbi’s synagogue, and her daughter Natalie, 17, were handed over to Red Cross officials on Friday after spending two weeks in captivity in Gaza.
Hecht, who leads the Chabad of Evanston congregation, said the local Jewish community gathered to pray for them and promised to throw “the biggest party” once they return to the US.
“We believe that our prayers have been heard on high and that the release of Judith and Natalie is more than a miracle,” he said Saturday evening at the end of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.
“Our community has really stepped up during this time to spread the word about who these special people are,” he said.
“We believe that our prayers have been heard on high, and that the release of Judith and Natalie is more than a miracle,” said Rabbi Meir Hecht, the rabbi of Judith and Natalie.
The two American women, Natalie Raanan (left) and Judith Raanan (right), were released by Palestinian Hamas terrorists late last week after being captured on October 7 during a visit to Israel.
“So the world knew that innocent, friendly neighbors of ours here in Illinois were hostages in Gaza.
“At the same time, we have deep inner pain that there are still more than 200 hostages in the hands of Hamas terrorists,” he said.
‘The terrorists want us to lose hope. But we will never lose our hope. On the contrary, we strengthen each other; we strengthen our resolve. We’re giving it everything we’ve got.’
The 42-year-old, who studied at a Yeshiva, a Jewish religious school, in Israel between 1999 and 2000, said his congregation was already looking forward to welcoming the two women back to Evanston.
“I want to throw the biggest party for them when they come home, invite the whole community and welcome them in the biggest way possible,” he told DailyMail.com. “It’s going to be the biggest party I’ve ever thrown.”
Hecht’s wife Yehudis, 40, said Judith was “like an extended family member” to many in the Evanston Jewish community.
“She was always there to show love, to care and think about how she could help,” she said, explaining that the 59-year-old artist often dropped off gifts for members of the congregation.
Yehudis, who shared some exclusive photos of Judith’s paintings with DailyMail.com, explained how she had struggled to cope with the trauma of her friends’ hands at the hands of Hamas.
‘Obviously I couldn’t sleep because (their kidnapping) was in our minds all the time and we kept seeing images of what happened online but kept playing in front of my eyes.
“It was hard to just have a peaceful moment when you don’t know what’s going on and you see how barbaric these terrorists were behaving. It was unbearable.’
“I want to throw the biggest party for them when they get home, invite the whole community and welcome them in the biggest way possible,” Hecht told DailyMail.com
Judith Raanan with some of her artwork before her terror ordeal with Hamas terrorists – Raanan is known for being a warm and vibrant member of her community back home
DailyMail.com confirmed that the two hostages are Judith Raanan and Natalie Raanan, 17, a mother and daughter from Chicago who were visiting Israel for a relative’s birthday when they were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
Judith’s ex-husband Uri Raanan, Natalie’s father, has said both former hostages could be back in the United States early next week, in time for Natalie to celebrate her 18th birthday on Tuesday.
DailyMail.com understands that both are still in Israel and are taking part in a debriefing with US and Israeli intelligence services in the hope of picking up some clues that could help free the other hostages snatched two weeks ago.
‘It goes well with her. She is doing very well,” he said of his daughter on Friday when he spoke to the Associated Press. “I’m in tears and I feel very, very good.”
Knowing that Natalie might be able to celebrate her big day at home with family and friends feels “amazing.” The best news,” the 71-year-old added.
Judith and Natalie Raanan had been in Israel to celebrate a relative’s birthday and the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah when they were taken hostage by Hamas during terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,400 people in the worst attack on civilians in the history of the state.
The murderous actions of Islamist gunmen, who breached the Jewish state’s border barrier with Gaza, have sparked a war between Israel and the terrorist organization and its sister group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Axios reported Saturday that Biden has urged the Israeli government to delay its ground offensive until it has a long-term strategy to prevent a protracted conflict that could spread across the region.
The report says the US president is concerned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no plan for what to do with Gaza once Hamas is removed from power.
Raanan, 59, with more of her artwork. Community leaders say she is someone who constantly checks in on others and brings them gifts, including her artwork
Natalie Raanan was visiting family with her mother Judith over the High Holidays when the attack began on Saturday. Family members had not heard from either woman until news came Friday that they were being released
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military warned civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south of the enclave as it continued a series of airstrikes against what it says are terrorist targets.
One of those attacks accidentally landed in Egypt, prompting the Israeli military to issue a statement admitting their mistake.
“The incident is under investigation and details are being investigated. The IDF expresses its sorrow over the incident,” the report said.
Israel has amassed tens of thousands of troops and military equipment on the border ahead of an expected ground invasion aimed at wiping out Hamas.