#StandWithAlex

02.11.2023 06:32:32

AlexDancyg - a friend and acquaintance of so many of us, was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 with dozens of other residents of the Nir Oz kibbutz in the Negev Desert, located just a few kilometers from the Gaza Strip. We are waiting here for you Alex and we are with you!

Our friend and acquaintance, AlexDancyg, was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, along with many other residents of the Nir Oz kibbutz in the Negev Desert, just a few kilometers from the Gaza Strip. His name was on a list of Hamas hostages. Alex has led two remarkable and connected lives for many decades. He's a Varsovian, originally from Mokotow, born three years after World War II, who moved to Israel with his parents in the late 1950s. He embraced Israeli citizenship while never letting go of his Polish identity.

Choosing to live in kibbutz Nir Oz wasn't a coincidence. Its residents believed in communitarianism, cooperation, and dialogue with Palestinians. They sought peace, provided humanitarian aid, and believed in their moral stance changing the world for the better. They were building a civil society, inspired by the ideals of the Jewish scouting movement, Hashomer Hacair. Alex always emphasized that he never stopped being a "shomer." Initially, he worked in the fields, later leading a group responsible for irrigating hundreds of acres of land.

From the 1980s, Alex would occasionally "disappear" from the kibbutz to live his second, parallel life. As a historian with a deep love for Polish history and literature, he organized trips for Israeli youth to Poland and trained Israeli guides for these trips through courses at the Yad Vashem Institute. His extensive knowledge, combined with his storytelling gift, makes him an engaging lecturer on various Polish-Jewish topics. He's spirited, unafraid to speak his mind, and encourages discussion and dialogue by asking questions.

Alex has visited Poland numerous times, both with groups of young people and individually. We eagerly await Alex's return, and we stand with him during this challenging time. You can find more information about his situation using the hashtag #StandWithAlex.