New York, NY – USY and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism issued the following statement on today’s news about the murder of Omer Neutra z”l.
It is with great sadness that we learned that Omer Neutra z”l, who was assumed to have been held hostage for 423 days, was killed on October 7, 2023, and his body is still in captivity in Gaza.
Omer grew up on Long Island and became an active member and leader in USY throughout high school. Omer served as a divisional President in 2017-2018 and USY Regional President for the Metropolitan New York Region in 2018-2019. After graduating high school, Omer moved to Israel and enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Omer’s USY friends describe him as a natural-born leader, kind and compassionate, with a magnetic energy. Omer’s USY experiences were powerful in his life, and his presence was impactful on all who were around him.
423 days and nights since the beginning of the war, we continue to assert that the return of hostages is the most urgent imperative. Maimonides wrote, “There is no greater mitzvah than redeeming captives.” We implore the Israeli government to prioritize finalizing an agreement providing for the release of the 101 hostages, and we continue to call on every world leader to work for their immediate freedom from Hamas captivity.
The living belong in the arms of their families; the deceased deserve a proper burial.
May the memory of Omer Neutra z”l always be a blessing.
