Bring Them Home

As part of the Board of Deputies and Hostages and Missing Families Forum initiative for synagogues to "adopt" a hostage and make their name heard, Westminster Synagogue is proud to adopt Elkana Bohbot. Elkana marked both his 35th and 36th birthdays in captivity, and his son has celebrated 4th birthday, without his father and best friend. We have sent them a gift from our community, but pray that he gets his most desired present, that his father returns home soon 

Elkana had gone to the Supernova festival with friends and, before losing contact, he spoke to his wife, Rivka, and mother telling them he was helping to evacuate the wounded. According to his brother Yaakov, the first thing Elkana did was to put the musicians he was in charge of on taxis to get them out - sacrificing his own safety. Hours later, his family found a video of him posted online by Hamas. Elkana is a go-getter, a big kid,  and a huge lover of music. He was always the person who could connect you with the right artists, and has always been there for family and friends, most recently celebrating his brother's wedding a few weeks before Oct 7th. Elkana had just opened an ice cream shop in Tel Aviv, everyone has tried to make ice cream like Elkana, but no one can come close. He was looking forward to bringing his son to the new store. Instead he is being held hostage by Hamas.

There is a a seat reserved for Elkana during our services and events and we'll keep him and the other hostages in our minds and our prayers. To find out more about the BoD initiative, click here.

As you can imagine, having a son, brother and father being held captive is harder than words can say for his family. To donate to Elkana's family, to support them in this truly horrific time, please do click here.   

In 2025 Hamas published a video of our adopted hostage Elkana Bohbot, along with hostage Yosef-Haim Ohana. While we are relieved to have proof of life, please be aware that the video is distressing, and we advise caution if choosing to watch.

To learn more about the remaining hostages and to donate towards supporting them, visit the Hostage and Missing Families Form Page.