Members of Utah's Jewish community celebrate return of Israeli hostages
10/13/2025 06:50:16 AM
SALT LAKE CITY — Members of Utah's Jewish community have been celebrating the return of Israeli hostages by Hamas. In a statement, the United Jewish Federation of Utah called it a "long awaited moment of relief and unity."
Spokesperson Ron Zamir said the return of the hostages comes after a long period of dread and anxiety.
"Our community has been holding its breath for two years," Zamir said. "And hearing month over month, 'This person's alive, this person is dead,' you know, that shadow, that holding of breath was just ever present in our Israeli community and in the Jewish community."
Zamir noted there is still trepidation, particularly for the families waiting for the remains of the 24 hostages who died in captivity.
Rabbi Sam Spector of Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City expressed the emotional weight of the moment.
"Every day for two years, I've worn this necklace that says, 'Our hearts are held captive in Gaza. Bring them home now,'" he said. "Today is the first morning I didn't put it on."
Spector pointed out that the weakening of Iran and its proxies indicates a larger shift toward peace in the Middle East. He expressed optimism that the deal with Hamas and the return of both hostages and Palestinian prisoners could mark the beginning of true peace in the region.
"We're seeing that Syria is wanting peace with Israel, that Indonesia, while it's not an Arab country, it wants peace with Israel, that the Lebanese are seeing that their lives are better without Hezbollah having control in their country. And so I'm very optimistic that in the years that are ahead, we might see a much more peaceful region," Spector said.
Joy, hesitation among Utahns ahead of possible Israel-Hamas ceasefire
10/10/2025 03:58:45 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — Many people in Utah are joining with those across the world, eager to hear the next steps after Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.
It’s been a long and devastating two years since the war in Gaza began. The new deal will see the release of all of the Israeli hostages being kept in Gaza, as well as the release of some Palestinian prisoners.
However, with skepticism, there is still hope, and rabbi Samuel Spector of Congregation Kol Ami believes the new deal is a step forward.
“We’re in the holiday of Sukkot, which we are commanded to be happy and joyful for, and this is welcome joyful news," he said. "We’ve had all these hostages up on our wall, that we have been waiting to take down their pictures.”
President Donald Trump said the hostages are likely to be released early next week. Part of the deal includes Israeli forces withdrawing to lines, leaving the country in control of about 53 percent of the Gaza Strip.
“Also, hopefully for Israelis and Palestinians alike, there can be quiet, there can be peace, there can be an end to death and destruction, and hopefully Gaza can be ruled as well by Palestinian peace seekers and not by Hamas," said Spector.
Interfaith leaders join church members in mourning President Russell M. Nelson
09/29/2025 03:46:13 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — Church members and other mourners remembered the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson on Sunday as a visionary who was also a kind and loving leader.
President Nelson passed away late Saturday after over seven and a half years leading Latter-day Saints.
The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russel M. Nelson impacted countless lives across the globe, from those who are members of his faith, and those who are not.
Interfaith leaders across the Beehive State believe President Nelson was not only a good friend to them, but they recognize that even though they didn’t share the same faith, he was a man called of God.
Rabbi Sam Spector of Congregation Kol Ami will never forget having lunch with President Nelson.
“The way he talked and looked at me was as though he saw holiness in me,” Rabbi Spector said. “And that really meant a lot to me.”
Rabbi Spector asked President Nelson for advice as he struggled with criticism from his congregation.
“He gave me the simplest and yet most profound advice, which was, remember two things every morning when you wake up: Love your fellow person and love God,” Rabbi Spector said. “Those words have stuck with me and it’s advice I implement regularly.”
09/23/2025 06:00:31 AM
“I was disappointed with President Trump’s rhetoric. Kirk’s tragic murder should give us pause as a country and be a wake-up call to use less divisive language and to, as Kirk did, encourage respectful dialogue. President Trump’s speech did not reflect those values. And in what has become expected of his words, was more focused on self-aggrandizing and attacking his opponents than reflections on Charlie Kirk and the positive contributions he made in our country. While much of the evangelical language of Erika Kirk’s speech does not speak to me as a non-Christian, she was, in contrast to Trump, speaking to her husband’s vision, mission and impact.”
— Rabbi Samuel Spector, Salt Lake City’s Congregation Kol Ami.
Following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, religious leaders focus on pastoral care, reflect on living faith in public
09/15/2025 08:28:54 AM
Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on the campus of Utah Valley University. The shooting occurred during a public event, while Kirk was responding to questions from the public.
The tragedy hit “very close to home” for his congregants, said Rabbi Sam Spector of Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City. Some attendees had been about 20 feet from the stage at Utah Valley University when Kirk was shot.
Rabbi Spector offered pastoral care to those present, whom he described as “traumatized” by the attack.
“Charlie Kirk went to so many universities, and for it to happen here and all of a sudden our state be global news is really scary,” he said.
Spector noted a teaching from the Talmud: “When you take an innocent life, it’s as if you’ve destroyed the entire world.”
He emphasized that Kirk’s method of engaging with ideas was “not hurting anybody.” Respectful argument is encouraged in Judaism, he said, so long as the goal is learning from one another.
“That’s what we’re supposed to do,” he said.
“What Charlie Kirk was doing was something that needs to be done more in our world, which is talking with people who have profound disagreements,” Rabbi Spector said, noting that Kirk also gave others the chance to share their perspectives.
Tue, October 28 2025
6 Cheshvan 5786
