Tenafly Renames Street for Freed Hostage Edan Alexander

Tenafly native Edan Alexander, who was captured during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack while serving in the IDF and held hostage for 584 days until his May 12 release, was honored Sept. 29, 2025 when River Edge Road outside the municipal building was renamed “Edan Alexander Way.” The dedication drew his family, Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, local religious and community leaders, photographers and supporters. Alexander, 21, thanked his hometown for sustaining him during captivity and was greeted with a hero’s welcome when he returned to New Jersey in June. He has announced plans to return to Israel to resume military service, and officials praised his courage and perseverance. Photo coverage showed family and well-wishers as well as at least one protester, reflecting both broad local support and differing local views.