Jewish Federations of North America are overjoyed and relieved at the news of Evan Gershkovich’s release, along with the release of Paul Whelan and other political prisoners.

It has been 491 days since Russia wrongfully detained Evan, a Wall Street Journal reporter trying to do his job in communicating news back home to readers.

We thank President Biden and his administration for doing everything in their power to bring this innocent young man back safely to United States soil, his family, and the American Jewish community.

We are also grateful to the Jewish Federations in New Jersey for their leadership on this issue.

Evan, our community has been incomplete without you. Welcome home.