Ilana Arougheti

Natalie Raanan and her dog, Panda, in Chicago before the kidnapping.

As Evanston teen held hostage by Hamas comes home, mother Judith remains in Israel

November 3, 2023 at 8:37 p.m.

More than three weeks after she was taken hostage by Hamas operatives, 18-year-old Natalie Raanan is finally sleeping in her own bed. The Evanston teen was taken hostage from the...

As Evanston teen held hostage by Hamas comes home, mother Judith remains in Israel

November 3, 2023 at 8:36 p.m.

More than three weeks after she was taken hostage by Hamas operatives, 18-year-old Natalie Raanan is finally sleeping in her own bed. The Evanston teen was taken hostage from the...

As Evanston teen held hostage by Hamas comes home, mother Judith remains in Israel

November 1, 2023 at 6:01 p.m.

More than three weeks after she was taken hostage by Hamas operatives, 18-year-old Natalie Raanan is finally sleeping in her own bed. The Evanston teen was taken hostage from the...

In this undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family is Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 17, after Natalie's recent high school graduation.

Former Hamas hostages Natalie and Judith Raanan to return to Chicago: What we know

October 27, 2023 at 11:22 p.m.

An Evanston mother and daughter taken hostage by terrorist organization Hamas on Oct. 7 became the first hostages released by Hamas a week ago. The pair were released into Red...

Highland Park Hospital President Gabrielle Cummings, right, speaks with Shyrie Everett, left, a senior supply chain specialist, in the hallway at Highland Park Hospital, Oct. 23, 2023.

Next year 4 NorthShore hospitals will get new presidents, 3 of them women

October 26, 2023 at 9:30 p.m.

As a nursing assistant in intensive care, Nicole Fernandez learned on the job. She watched older nurses not only model how to communicate with patients, but also advocate for themselves,...

A bartender garnishes a shot of pumpkin spice Malört at CH Distillery in Chicago.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and dread: Pumpkin Spice Malört is here

October 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Autumn lovers, die-hard Chicagoans and plain old masochists found new common ground this October at CH Bar in the West Loop. Through the end of the month, Pumpkin Spice Malört...

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, pictured shortly before he was taken hostage by Hamas. Goldberg-Polin lost his left arm below the elbow when Hamas operatives attacked the bomb shelter he was hiding in on Oct. 7. It is unknown where he is or if he is alive. Photo courtesy of Jon Polin.
- Original Credit: Courtesy of Jon Polin

As former Hamas hostages prepare to return home, family of kidnapped man share joy, concern

October 22, 2023 at 1:43 p.m.

After 14 dark days, Uri Raanan expects the best day of his life to be about a week away. Raanan's daughter Natalie Raanan and her mother Judith Raanan, Uri's ex-wife,...

Uri Raanan, father of Natalie Raanan and ex-husband of Judith Raanan, speaks outside his home in Bannockburn Oct. 20, 2023, to express his emotions after Natalie and Judith were released by Hamas.

Israel, US confirm Hamas release of Evanston hostages: ‘I’m going to sleep tonight,’ says father of held teen

October 22, 2023 at 1:43 p.m.

Judith and Natalie Raanan, a mother and daughter from Evanston who had been hostages of terrorist group Hamas since Oct. 7, have been released, according to the Israeli and United...

Judith Raanan and her daughter, Natalie Raanan, are shown in a photograph during Natalie's high school graduation.

Israel, United States confirm Hamas release of Evanston hostages Natalie and Judith Raanan

October 20, 2023 at 9:02 p.m.

Judith and Natalie Raanan, a mother and daughter from Evanston who have been hostages of terrorist group Hamas since Oct. 7, have been released, according to the Israeli and United...

Sigal and Avi Zamir attend a vigil for their relatives, Judith Raanan, and her daughter, Natalie Raanan, at a family friend's home on Oct. 12, 2023, in Evanston.

Brother of Evanston teen held hostage by Hamas speaks on hope for a safe return: ‘We are a peaceful family’

October 20, 2023 at 6:20 p.m.

On Oct. 24, Natalie Raanan's 18th birthday, her brother Ben planned to take her to get her first tattoo, with matching ink of his own. The two never got as...

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