Making the case for nearly 200 innocent victims held hostage inside Gaza, scores of young American Jewish leaders organized by the Jewish Federations of North America fanned out across Capitol Hill Wednesday, urging lawmakers and staffs to wear blue ribbons on their lapels in solidarity with the captives and with the State of Israel.

The sweep, which was part of the Blue Ribbons for Israel campaign, began at 10 a.m., in the Rayburn House Office Building. Jewish Federations volunteers, including participants in the Jewish Changemakers program (a program Jewish leaders ages 20-25), visited all 538 congressional and senatorial offices and asked them to post photos with their ribbons using #BlueRibbonsforIsrael.

“The fear and pain of those held hostage by this brutal terrorist group is unimaginable, and their families are in anguish,” said Andy Hochberg, Chair of the Domestic Policy & Government Affairs Committee for Jewish Federations of North America. “That is why it is so important to ensure these people are not forgotten, to reaffirm our community's solidarity, and to express our support for whatever it takes to bring them home.”   

For more information on the campaign, including how to order in bulk or join as a partner, visit the Blue Ribbons for Israel Campaign website by clicking here.