It’s been a while since I’ve written anything here, and although my personal policy, in general, is not to explain myself, I do want to talk about it! To say the least, it’s already been an eventful 2025, and if you’re paying attention even a sliver to the news cycle, you know there’s plenty to talk about. But so much of it has been going on—in some iteration—for so long, I sometimes simply have nothing new to add. A perfect example: Parts of a text chain with my Israeli host mom, Ya’ara, have devolved from long descriptions about life in Israel since October 7 to a variety of crying- and angry-face emojis.

Of course we still talk about more mundane, everyday life types of things—we share pictures of our baking, travel, and families—we wish each other chag sameach and shabbat shalom—things like that. But the silent undertone feels a bit heavier, like we are carrying on with greater intentionality and purpose, both despite and because of this ongoing war, and all the politics surrounding it.

One thing in particular that has been made clear in our conversations is the war’s emotional impact, both individually and collectively, on most Israelis. In Ya’ara’s words, simply put, they are broken, and it feels like the world has gone crazy. It’s at this point in the text I ask myself, “What can we DO?? All Jewish people are feeling effects, but what can we do to help in Israel specifically when we aren’t there?”

With that in mind, I want to talk about our newest Featured Organization, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. We’ve been donating for many months, but have yet to talk about exactly what they do. I wish they didn’t need to exist, and I’m guessing you do, too. But since October 7, 2023, these unrelenting volunteers have been working tirelessly for the release of all hostages from Gaza. These are the people who made the posters, who sell the dog tags, and who keep the hostages top-of-mind at all times:

“Formed less than 24 hours after the horrific Hamas attack on Israeli villages and towns on October 7th, 2023, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is a civil, volunteer-based organization with no political affiliation, focused on bringing our loved ones back home by any means necessary through all available channels. The forum includes thousands of volunteers, from the families themselves to senior figures in the security, judicial, communication, advertising, creative, and diplomatic sectors.” (https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/about-us)

They go on to explain: “Our only mission is to bring them back home. This is how:

  • PROVIDING FINANCIAL, MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AID to affected families whose time and efforts are dedicated solely to the return of their loved ones from Hamas’ captivity.
  • MANAGING MEDIA RELATIONS IN ISRAEL AND WORLDWIDE, we connect families with media outlets, initiate special media events, and keep the hostages prominent on the global public agenda.
  • COORDINATING DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH EFFORTS, delegations around the world, and facilitating meetings between families of the hostages and high-level government officials and influential opinion leaders.
  • ESTABLISHING LOCAL AND GLOBAL EVENTS and promoting awareness of the hostages’ plight, from ‘The Hostages Square’ in Tel Aviv to 70 international chapters of the Forum, we conduct weekly rallies, demonstrations, installations, and events to create global pressure and awareness that the hostages must be returned immediately.
  • CREATING CONTENT IN ALL LANGUAGES AND MEDIUMS for global distribution, we manage extensive media channels and oversee social media in Hebrew and English. Our team produces graphic materials, billboards, signs, and videos in multiple languages.
  • ADVOCATING FOR THE HOSTAGES AND THEIR FAMILIES, we’re filing complaints and taking legal actions against Hamas leaders and their enablers in courts around the world, seeking global recognition of the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th and since.” (https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/about-us)

As you can see, a tremendous amount of work is being done, and will need to continue for years to come. I often start out feeling helpless in such overwhelming circumstances; that’s when I know it’s time to think less and do more. So for the foreseeable future, BreadLove profits will be directed to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, as we strive to keep those remaining in Gaza and those returned home “prominent on the global public agenda.”

I thank you sincerely for reading this far—I’ve said it countless times and I’ll say it again: BreadLove is a team effort, and none of it happens without YOU! We truly are all in this together, and together we can put the energy of compassion and commitment out into the world. Click here to place an order for this week, or to purchase loaves for donation to a local food pantry. Either way, you’re contributing to the important work of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

With that, I want to thank you, as always, for being my partner in “raising the dough that helps make the world a better place!”

I wish you a peaceful week,

Joanna