Hundreds of shofars and whistles to be blown for the hostages on Mother’s Day - The Jewish Chronicle

In an international show of solidarity, thousands of shofars and whistles will be blown around the world on Sunday to ensure the public continues to remember the more than 100 hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.

Commencing at noon in each country’s local time, the instruments will be blown in harmony for 155 seconds to signify the 155 days the hostages will have been in captivity.

In the UK, over 300 people are expected at the London event, which coincides with Mother’s Day, including many high-profile personalities and faith leaders. TV and radio presenter Vanessa Feltz is due to speak, alongside others.

Vanessa Feltz will be at the event 'Blow for Hostages' event[Missing Credit]

Mike Freer MP, who recently resigned from his position over the threats he was receiving for his support of Israel, will be attending, as well as Dame Maureen Lipman, Rabbi Dayan Binstock, campaigner Nimco Ali OBE and comedians Josh Howie and Rachel Creeger.

Campaigner Nimco Ali will be at the event for the hostages (Photo: Champions Speakers)[Missing Credit]

The Blow for Hostages initiative was conceived by branding expert Marcel Knobil, who was also responsible for the Lovelock Hostage Bridge at JW3 earlier this month.

Knobil told the JC: “Blowing the shofar is emblematic in being a wake-up call, and that’s also what we want to deliver to the world and to the media. There are over 100 hostages still suffering desperately, and there’s no time to waste.”

On the significance of the event occurring on Mother’s Day, Knobil added: “When you look at the suffering that still so many mothers are facing, waiting for their children to be returned to them, the pain must only be amplified on Mother’s Day. We blow the shofars and whistles in solidarity with the hostages but also on this day with a special place in our hearts for the mothers agonising on that day.”

Ayelet Levy Shachar (right) is waiting for her daughter, Naama Levy, to come home from Gaza[Missing Credit]

People are encouraged to take part in the effort regardless of where they happen to be on March 10. Young people participating in Maccabi football matches on the day will be whistling before commencing matches, and a wedding taking place on the day in a Masorti synagogue is also said to be participating.

[Missing Credit]

Similar events will be taking place in New York, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv and the international Jewish educational organisation Aish will be holding a large event with shofars and whistles on their terrace of the Aish World Center, overlooking the Western Wall.

The event is cross-communal, with partners including Masorti Judaism, the United Synagogue, Sephardi, Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism. Other organisations taking part are the National Jewish Assembly, 7/10 Human Chain Project, the JLC, Jewish Futures, the Council of Christians and Jews, Christian Action Against Antisemitism and the European Jewish Association.

The Christian Action Against Antisemitism group will be blowing whistles as they come out of their church services that day.

Complimentary whistles will be provided at the main London event, which will run on Sunday from 11:30 to 12:15.

Register at blowforhostages.com.