President Isaac Herzog hosted the “Tefillin for Every Hostage” initiative today (Wednesday), led by Julie Kupershtein — mother of hostage Bar Kupershtein — and Riki Siton. The initiative, now in its 20th month, calls for the daily laying of tefillin (Jewish phylacteries) in prayer for the return of those held captive by Hamas for over 600 days.
“Extremely difficult negotiations”
The event featured an exhibit of artwork by students from the Haredi branch of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, as well as a donation of tefillin by young girls from the town of Rekhasim.
At the moving gathering—attended by families of hostages, donors, and volunteers—Herzog said: “This is a very emotional and special event. I hope we all continue to do everything in our power to bring everyone home, every single one of them.”
He added: “Let us cry out, demand, plead, tear open the gates of heaven—and bring them home. May we see Bar return, and all the others—some for recovery, some, tragically, for burial in Israel.”
Herzog also addressed the status of the hostage negotiations: “These are extremely difficult, sensitive, and complex moments. The negotiations are very tough—Israel has accepted the Witkoff proposal.”
“To all the nations of the world—I say: just tell Hamas, enough. They’re not listening to you until they release them all. And with the help of Heaven, we will see every one of them return home,” he urged.
President Herzog thanked Julie Kupershtein and Riki Siton for the initiative: “It’s a wonderful idea. I put on tefillin every day. Everyone is praying for their return, and I believe those prayers will be answered.”
“We are growing out of the darkness”
Bar Kupershtein was abducted by Hamas on October 7 while working as a security guard at the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im. On the morning of the massacre, he stayed behind to help and give first aid to wounded partygoers before being kidnapped.
“We’ve been privileged to witness incredible unity among the people of Israel,” said Julie Kupershtein. “This sweet nation rose up in such a moving way after October 7. As tragic as that day was, out of the darkness, we are growing.”
“This event is really Bar’s event—and that of his new brothers who are still deep in the darkness and from there are shining light into the world. When the terrorist called to threaten me, I told him: ‘Bar isn’t in your hands—he’s only in the hands of the Creator of the World, even in Gaza.’ That’s how I’ve felt the whole time,” she added.
“He always puts others first”
Tal, Bar’s father, was seriously injured in a car accident and has been in long-term care. Since Bar’s abduction, he has spent a year in rehabilitation, working to regain his ability to speak.
“We found out about Bar’s kidnapping at 11 a.m., when the horrific video surfaced—showing him with his hands and feet bound, and a wire tied around his neck,” Tal recounted. “Even then, Bar shouted his name to the terrorists and asked them to take care of Elkana Bohbot, who was wounded. That’s Bar—he always puts others before himself.”
