Teaneck Cinemas is screening the documentary ‘The Response’ through Wednesday, November 4, offering a look at how ordinary citizens rallied to support hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.
The film, produced between 2024 and 2025, follows Run for Their Lives (R4TL), a grassroots movement that brought together residents of Teaneck and supporters worldwide. Members of the community walked week after week, regardless of weather, to keep the hostages’ plight in public consciousness and to remind the world that ordinary people could influence the conversation.
Run for Their Lives organized marches, public events, and awareness campaigns that highlighted the stories of families such as the Bibas and individuals like Hersh Goldberg‑Polin. The documentary captures the emotional impact of these efforts, showing how collective action kept the hostages from being forgotten.
For the Teaneck community, the film is more than a record of past actions; it is a reminder of the power of community advocacy. Ari Gononsky, a regular participant in the marches, says the film is both heartbreaking—seeing footage of families and campus protests—and uplifting, as it confirms that Israel still has allies standing on the right side of history.
Elchanan Ogorek, former leader of Run for Their Lives, praised the film’s portrayal of how many advocated for the hostages while others vilified Israel. He thanked Teaneck Cinemas for showing the film, calling it a powerful reminder of collective action in a time of crisis.
The documentary is available in select theaters across the country, but the Teaneck screening offers a unique opportunity for local residents to reflect on the extraordinary period of advocacy and the role they played in keeping the hostages’ stories alive.
As the film draws to a close, viewers are left with a clear message: ordinary citizens can make a difference when they stand together, speak out, and refuse to let a crisis fade into silence.
