Captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein led an evening of thanksgiving and Selichot at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Thursday, marking one year since his return from captivity. The event brought together other survivors, families of deceased hostages, and bereaved families to commemorate the anniversary.
During the gathering, survivors expressed gratitude to the Israeli public for their ongoing prayers and advocacy efforts aimed at securing the release of hostages. In a shared statement, the survivors reflected on their time in captivity, noting that they had to pray in whispers while held in tunnels. They stated that their faith was a primary factor in their survival and expressed the significance of being able to gather publicly to offer thanks.
The event began with opening remarks from Julie Kupershtein, Bar’s mother, and Riki Siton. Bar Kupershtein delivered a speech before leading the Selichot prayers. The program also featured appearances by Rabbi Lau and fellow captivity survivor Rom Braslavski. Additionally, singer ElaytZur performed the song The Last War, which he co-wrote with Kupershtein.
The evening included a live broadcast from the Western Wall, which featured participation from Ayelet Samerano, the mother of the late Yonatan Samerano, and Michel Ilouz, the father of the late Guy Ilouz.
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