Former Hamas hostages are now back with their loved ones and beginning the long road to recovery, with support from Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter John Ondrasik.
Ondrasik, known as Five for Fighting, reimagined his hit song "Superman" after the mother of former hostage Alon Ohel reached out to him. He later performed the song for hostage families on the yellow piano in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square.
Full interview and performance
He called the performance one of the true honors of his life and said seeing the hostages return home was a miracle.
Ondrasik posted video of Alon, a piano player himself, playing at the hospital while recovering. He said Alon is no longer alone.
With the bodies of other hostages still in Gaza, Ondrasik says his fight isn't finished. He believes the song and video helped counter antisemitism in the arts.
He was recently honored by the United Jewish Federation in Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, inducted into the White Rose Society, which recognizes non-Jews who stand by the Jewish community.
Ondrasik said he was honored but also saddened to be an anomaly, calling it a reflection of a broken culture.
John hopes to one day play his song, side by side with Alon.