Tenafly on Monday, Sept. 29 renamed River Edge Road Edan Alexander Way in honor of a borough native whose 584 days in Hamas captivity transfixed the world and whose homecoming this spring drew cheers across the community.
A smiling Alexander, now 21, stood at the ceremony outside Borough Hall surrounded by family, neighbors and officials.
He said in part, “I knew my family and my town and so many people were fighting for me and keeping my name alive and pushing for my return,” he told the crowd. “To have a road named here in the place I call home is something I could never have imagined. It’s not just my name on a sign. It’s a reminder of how powerful a community can be when it refuses to give up, so thank you for carrying me, for fighting for me and welcoming me back home.”
The dedication was led by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5), who had worked closely with the Alexanders during their son’s captivity. “Edan is a son of Tenafly, a graduate of Tenafly High School who swam on the swim team and biked on these streets,” Gottheimer said. “A Jersey boy through and through. He never surrendered his dignity and faith.”
Alexander, who joined the Israel Defense Forces through the Garin Tzabar program, was just 19 when he was captured near the Gaza border during Hamas’s surprise assault on Oct. 7, 2023. Militants stormed across the border that day, killing about 1,200 people — most of them civilians — and seizing more than 250 hostages.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 63,000 Palestinians have died in the fighting since, a toll that does not distinguish between civilians and militants. Israel says thousands of Hamas fighters are among the dead. Independent analyses suggest the actual figure may run higher.
Alexander was among 12 Americans taken hostage. His father, Adi, later told The New York Times that his son had been kept with a bag over his head at times, handcuffed, beaten and interrogated about his military service. Israeli media reported that he was malnourished and confined in a Hamas tunnel.
He was released on May 12, 2025, in what Hamas called a goodwill gesture during ceasefire talks. About 48 hostages remain unaccounted for, though many are believed dead.
‘Nothing made me happier’
For nearly two years, Alexander’s parents worked to keep his case visible, organizing vigils in Huyler Park, traveling to Washington, D.C., and meeting with leaders in Israel. Gottheimer said their persistence helped drive his own efforts, which included repeated trips to the Middle East.
“Nothing made me happier than the day Adi called with the news that Edan was coming home,” Gottheimer said. “When I moved his photo from the hostage wall in my office to the wall of the freed, I broke down in tears.”
Alexander himself said his family’s work sustained him. “A year and a half in captivity was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through,” he told the crowd Monday, “but I never felt completely alone.”
Return to service
Since returning home, Alexander has announced plans to go back to Israel and continue his military service. “My story doesn’t end with survival — it continues with service,” he told supporters earlier this month.
Gottheimer said those words reflected both Alexander’s humility and his strength. “He told me he was not a hero — the real heroes were those still held, and those who gave their lives. That stopped me in my tracks.”
As a Jewish member of Congress who has long emphasized his support for Israel, Gottheimer has led and backed legislation directly related to the Israel–Hamas conflict. He sponsored H. Res. 1537, condemning the October 7 attacks and demanding the unconditional release of hostages.
He has issued public statements on hostage negotiations and security, including a January 2025 release on the Israel-Hamas hostage deal.
As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, he has pledged the return of every remaining American hostage and to “crush Hamas.”
He has also been a vocal advocate against antisemitism and in support of Israel in congressional resolutions and public forums.
After his release, Alexander met with President Donald Trump at the White House to thank him for efforts that secured his freedom.
Resilience at home
Monday’s ceremony came less than two weeks after an Israeli flag was burned outside Temple Sinai of Bergen County in Tenafly. Gottheimer condemned the incident as “vile” and “unacceptable,” and Mayor Mark Zinna said the borough “will not tolerate hate in any form.” Temple leaders quickly raised a new flag, and security was increased ahead of the High Holy Days.
During Monday’s dedication, one heckler shouted that Israel was “committing genocide” and that Alexander was “not fighting for America.” The comments were quickly drowned out by boos — and then cheers for Alexander and Israel.
Standing together
Joining Gottheimer and the Alexanders at the renaming were Sen. Gordon Johnson, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Sheriff Anthony Cureton, County Clerk John Hogan, Mayor Zinna, Demarest Mayor Brian Bernstein, and members of the Tenafly and Englewood councils.
“To Edan’s siblings and parents: your love, your persistence, and your refusal to accept ‘no’ changed history for your son,” Gottheimer said. “To Edan: your bravery humbles and inspires us. To our community: your solidarity showed what a town can do when it stands together.”