The Jew Project: Ronen & Orna Neutra, Parents of Hostage Omer Neutra
The Jew Project, created by photographer Yisroel Teitelbaum aims to unify the Jewish people through documenting the lives of individuals. To read more on The Jew Project Click Here.
Orna and Ronen are of Czech-Israeli background and ran a family business in the field of laboratory supplies.
Orna Neutra worked in Manhattan on Sept 11, 2001. She walked out of America’s worst Terror Attack, and walked home from the city, 8 months pregnant. A month later, she and Ronen had their first son, Omer.
Raised in Plainview, Long Island, Omer was a competitive athlete, being simultaneous captain of his local basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams. After his acceptance to Binghamton, Omer deferred for a year to go to Israel, and with his Holocaust Surviving Grandparents in mind, he decided to join the IDF in the Armored Tank Corps. Omer was stationed on the Gaza border, tasked with protecting the civilian border communities, becoming a commander.
On Shabbat Oct 7, 2023, Omer was in his tank when missiles pummeled Southern Israel. He rode his tank straight toward the largest border breach, when his tank was hit by multiple RPGs, injuring Omer and the driver, killing the remaining 3 team members. A propaganda video surfaced of these soldiers’ bodies being dragged from the tank and desecrated.
Omer has been held hostage in Gaza since Oct 7, 2023.
Ronen and Orna have been moving heaven and earth every day since to promote the release of their son and all remaining hostages. Countless politicians, activists, special interest groups, have had the Neutras at their door, along with speeches at political campaigns and hundreds of media interviews and appearances.
Ronen and Orna live in Long Island, NY, where they continue to be vocal advocates for their son and all hostages of Hamas, until their safe return.
This set is shared on the 1st Anniversary of the October 7 Massacre. Bring Them Home!
Robert Tango
God Bless you
Love and Prayers. We are a family from Long Island, Smithtown, now in Orlando FL. OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
Sarah Barker
Just heard the heartbreaking news 💔🙏🏼🫶🏼
To his incredible parents Orna and Ronen, the Nuetra Family and friends:
Omer was a hero! He will forever be remembered and celebrated as such. We will never forget him. May his memory be a blessing.
You are all in our prayers and our hearts. Am Yisrael Chai
Love,
Sarah Barker and family
Connecticut