“Thirteen women are still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza,” Bravo host Andy Cohen shares in a video released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum this past Sunday. The video, released just a day before the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks, features a myriad of other stars, including “Saturday Night Live” castmember Chloe Fineman, designer Rebecca Minkoff and actresses Debra Messing and Mayim Bialik. Each one of these accomplished women shares the story of the 13 female hostages.
Fineman talks about professional dancer Romi Gonen, 24, who loves leopard print, with Fineman donning a leopard print hat in her honor. Award-winning artist Zoe Buckman talks about Naama Levy’s dreams of peace and of becoming a diplomat; in videos from captivity, Naama can be heard saying that she has friends in Palestine. Minkoff speaks of Liri Albag, 19, a fashion lover and foodie. Bialik, who recently shared her love for the community of Kiryat Bialik, named after her great-great-granfather’s first cousin, Israeli poet laureate Chaim Nachman Bialik, as it was being bombarded by Hezbollah, shares the story of Ofra Keidar, who loved gardening and taking early morning walks in Kibbutz Be’eri, her home, where she was captured. Ofra’s husband, Sami, was killed that day, and Ofra was later pronounced to have been killed as well, though Hamas is still holding her body captive.
Actress Emanuelle Chirqui talks about Shiri Bibas, mother of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, the youngest Israelis still believed to be held by Hamas, who is “an incredible mother [and] former caretaker of the children of Kibbutz Nir Oz.”
Activist Elica Labon speaks of Inbal Heiman, 27, a “free spirit” and “talented artist.” Actress Patricia Heaton speaks of Emily Damari, the only British citizen still in captivity, who was captured from her home in Kfar Aza, and who has “a smile and humor that lights up every room.” TikTok influencer Baby Ariel shares the story of Karina Araiev, 20, an avid reader and the glue that keeps her family together.
Ginnifer Goodwin speaks of Agam Berger, 20, a professional violin player taken from her base in Nahal Oz. Emily Astin shares the story of Doron Steinbrecher, a veterinary nurse with a special connection for animals whose “nephews ask for her every single day.” Messing speaks about Arbel Yahud, 29, an astronomy and space exploration guide and a beloved aunt who is “sensitive, energetic and has a big smile.”
Iranian princess and model Noor Palhavi speaks of Daniella Gilboa, 19, a singer-songwriter who has a loud infectious laugh and who dreams of being a music star. Adela Moadeb speaks of Judith Weinstein Haggai, who loved taking long walks in her kibbutz of Nir Oz, and who was killed on October 7 but whose body, along with her husband’s body, is being held by Hamas.
“Thirteen powerful voices have joined us in speaking out on each of the women being held hostage,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum shared on Instagram. “Together we can unite worldwide and demand their immediate release.”
