CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rabbi Adam Berman says he and other members of the Congregation B’nai Jacob in Charleston have been hoping and praying for what happened Monday when 20 Israeli hostages were released by Hamas as the part of the new peace deal.

“Every single day as I’ve been leading services at B’nai Jacob we’ve been counting the days that our hostages have been held and every day I say, ‘we hope that by this time tomorrow they will be home,’ I’m thrilled to be able to stop the count at day 738,” Berman said Monday MetroNews Midday.

Berman and others watched with joy as the hostages were reunited with their family members.

“This is all very personal. We’ve shed way too many tears of mourning, pain and grief and now we have the opportunity to shed tears of joy as well,” Berman said.

B

See Full Page