Emotional Homecoming for Edan Alexander
Almost 600 days after being accused of involvement in the October 7 massacre by Hamas, Edan Alexander returned to New Jersey on Thursday, greeted by an emotional homecoming. Residents lined the rainy streets of Tenafly, waving American and Israeli flags, welcoming him with handmade signs.
The 21-year-old Alexander smiled and waved from the passenger seat of a black SUV as it rolled slowly through his hometown of 50,000 residents, flanked by police convoys and cheerfully supportive crowds.
Rabbi Mordecai Shane, a longtime family friend, expressed the community’s devotion, stating, “Our community is praying for him – 585 days. There was a weekly march to get him home. It felt like we were living it.”
Alexander, who grew up in Tenafly, moved to Israel at 18 and signed up for military service in the IDF Golani Brigade. He spent time with his grandparents in Tel Aviv and Kibbutz Hazeur, often linking up with fellow soldiers who were alone.
While serving in the Israeli Defense Forces at 19, he was taken hostage during a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel. In May, he was released after more than 19 months, following what was described as a goodwill gesture after quiet negotiations between U.S. officials and Hamas. Key figures like Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkov and special hostage envoy Adam Berler played significant roles in securing his freedom.
Rabbi Shane described Alexander as a kind soul. “Even as a little boy, he was someone who no one noticed, yet he helped others,” he recalled, highlighting how Edan took on his friend’s shift on October 7th to allow the other soldiers to take a break.
“As a person and his family, he just wants to come back to life and move on,” said the rabbi. “This is a process. Healing takes time because he hasn’t fully expressed the torture he’s been through.”
The Jewish community in Tenafly dedicated efforts to support Alexander, with weekly prayers, marches, and even celebrations for his birthday. “Over 800 people came to celebrate on Hanukkah,” Rabbi Shane remarked, emphasizing the community’s commitment to ensuring he felt remembered.
For now, Alexander is expected to stay in New Jersey, focusing on his recovery. Reports indicate he suffered a hand injury and weighed only 121 pounds upon his release.
