Feltz, Freer, and Lipman Lead Largest Ram’s Horn Trumpet Chorus for Innocent Hostages’ Freedom Call
At noon, Sunday March 10th, by London’s famous Abbey Road, hundreds of Jews and sympathisers will be blowing shofars (ram’s horns of spiritual significance) and whistles, led by Vanessa Feltz, courageous Mike Freer MP (whose office was recently firebombed) and Dame Maureen Lipman. They will be joined by a host of famous faces, rabbis and communal leaders. Never before have as many shofars been blown simultaneously in the UK. The intention being to show solidarity with the over 100 hostages held in Gaza and to awaken the world to the horrendous conditions they are facing. The ‘blow’ will last for 1.55 minutes marking the 155 days they will have been in captivity.
The London event is part of the global ‘Blow for Hostages’ initiative organised by Marcel Knobil who recently created Lovelock Hostage Bridge in support of the innocent 1 to 85-year-olds. Whether it be in Cancun, New York, Jerusalem or London, Jews and sympathisers of many faiths will blow shofars and whistles wherever they happen to be – be it a wedding, on a football pitch, at Sunday’s ‘Book Week 24’, on the beach, coming out of Hebrew classes or church – others will attend dedicated communal events.
Proceedings in London commence with short inspiring speeches from personalities including Vanessa Feltz who will be expressing her sympathy with mothers of hostages, since the event occurs on Mother’s Day. Those representing other faiths include social activist Nimco Ali OBE and Justice Minister and MP for Finchley Michael Freer who recently announced he will not seek re-election over fears for his safety. On the stroke of noon, those on stage and the attending crowd will start blowing: contributing to the remarkable wailing sound of shofars and whistles that will be echoing across London and locations around the world.
Marcel Knobil, creator of Blow for Hostages says: “The shofar is normally blown to spur a spiritual awakening. On this occasion the extraordinary haunting wails are intended to re-awaken the world to the horrific October 7th massacre, that around 240 innocent civilians were dragged into captivity in Gaza, and over 100 of them still suffering in dire conditions. On March 10 more shofars will be blown, than probably on any day in history, marking the unifying and desperate hope of Jews and sympathisers throughout the world that the hostages will be freed.”
Vanessa Feltz states: “As a mother who hugely treasures her two precious daughters, on Mother’s Day my heart will be connecting with the mothers of the hostages who will have been emotionally tormented for 155 days. I will continue to trumpet the humanitarian message ‘bring them home now’.”
Rabbi Naftali Schiff, CEO of Jewish Future’s Trust, adds: “The shofar is a symbol of prayer and hope. It is blown at the most poignant and holiest moments of the Jewish calendar – primarily at the height of the New Year service when Jews access our deepest thoughts of our purpose, aspirations and commitment to building a better world. The sound of the shofar is a primal and guttural one that serves to remind us of the basic innate goodness of mankind. We are blowing the shofar as a universal act of prayer and hope that our innocent hostages – men, women and children shall come home and join the rest of the civilised world in asserting a universal moral clarity about good and evil and our commitment to building a better future for all.”
Blow for Hostages brings all strands and ages of the Jewish community together, as well as other faiths, and probably involves the most partners of any hostage initiative yet, with partners including: 7/10 Human Chain Project; CAAA; Council of Christians & Jews; Jewish Futures; Jewish Leadership Council; Liberal Judaism; Masorti Judaism; National Jewish Assembly; the Sephardi Community; Reform Judaism, The United Synagogue; and the European Jewish Association.
WHERE: London, NW8 (contact us for full address)
WHEN: Sunday March 10th 2024; 11.30 – 12.15 (please arrive at 11.15).
Photocall of the shofar and whistle blowing and of speeches.
Interviews with: Nimco Ali, Vanessa Feltz, Mike Freer, Marcel Knobil and Rabbi Schiff
Contact: Marcel Knobil; marcel@brandguru.org 07956 532784