Julie Kupershtein, whose son Bar has been a hostage in Gaza since October 7, stood up on his 23rd birthday and delivered a moving, love-filled message.
“My beloved Bar, today, 23 years ago, you made me a mother. Together we embarked on the journey of my life — the journey of motherhood.”
In a deeply personal and painful moment, she opened her heart to him and to the people of Israel, describing the journey of faith she has undergone since his abduction and sharing the spiritual strength that sustains her. Through prayers, acts of kindness, and endless devotion, Julie seeks to send her son a message of hope, connection, and unbreakable love.
“We have embarked on a journey once more— one we could never have imagined under any circumstances.”
“This is my small corner within all this crazy chaos”
Julie shared that since returning to religious observance 14 years ago, faith has been a central part of her life:
“I changed my entire way of life and understood what it means to be a Jew.”
She said that her faith gives her the strength to withstand trials, especially the enormous challenge of Bar’s captivity.
From the pain, a special initiative was born:
“In the prayer tent, this is my small corner within all this crazy chaos since October 7. Together with Rikki and other good people, we set up a place of prayer and challah-baking ceremonies for the hostages.”
She added:
“On Purim, we read the Megillah there, held a Purim meal, and continue to host challah-baking events for the hostages.”
“I believe my Bar is on a mission”
Julie sees Bar’s situation as a higher calling:
“I believe my Bar is on a mission. He has been given a very difficult trial, but he was chosen to be a messenger. Look at what he’s doing in the world, what merit he is creating — wow.”
She added with emotion: “My amazing son, of whom I am so proud and who I miss so much.”
“Barri, hold on”
Julie sent strength to her son from afar:
“Barri, hold on, stay strong. I am here, and I will never give up — ever. I love you.”
“I simply place everything in His hands and say everything is in God’s hands”
Beyond her pain for Bar, Julie has also faced great challenges at home:
“I have a husband who suffered a very severe car accident and is now wheelchair-bound and fully dependent.”
She added: “I honestly don’t know how I could have coped without being connected and close to God. I simply place everything in His hands and say- everything is in the hands of God.”
She concluded with a message of faith:
“When you have faith, it gives you strength and the ability to endure even the longest struggles. We are all here — all of us — ‘as one person with one heart.'”
“The people of Israel are simply with us, supporting and loving”
Julie emphasized:
“We all feel like one family with the other families of the hostages. It truly doesn’t matter what we believe or who we vote for — the people of Israel are simply with us, supporting and loving.”
In closing, she sent a personal message to Bar:
“I long to show you the picture of the square right now, so you’ll know how much the people of Israel care about you, do for you, and love you. Always remember that you are protected and guarded by the hand of God.”
In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Julie concluded:
“May the Holy One Blessed be He always love me, and may I always have only good.”
Watch Julie speak at the event [Hebrew]:
