Yesterday, three more Israeli hostages came home: Agam Berger (20), Gadi Moshe Mozes (80), and Arbel Yehoud (29). Additionally, Hamas terrorists released five Thai nationals who had also been held in captivity since October 7, 2023.
These releases were an uplifting close to an emotional week. On Monday, we commemorated 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. The juxtaposition of these events forces us to imagine how different the fate of the six million might have been had Israel existed at that time.
The stories of Gadi, Arbel, and Agam are inspiring and important. As members of their extended family, we have an obligation not only to be their advocates but also to bear witness to the trials they endured.
Gadi Moshe Mozes was born in Hadera and moved to Kibbutz Nir Oz sixty years ago. His partner, Efrat Katz, was killed on October 7. Gadi loves gardening and helped with establishing the kibbutz’s vineyard. Throughout his captivity, Gadi’s children and grandchildren were deeply worried about his health.
Arbel Yehoud is a third-generation member of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her brother, Dolev, was initially believed to also have been taken captive on October 7, but later, DNA analysis confirmed that he had been killed that day. Arbel’s boyfriend, Ariel Cunio, was also kidnapped by terrorists on October 7 along with his brother, David. Ariel and David remain in captivity in Gaza. It is hoped that they are alive and that they will be able to return home soon.
Agam Berger is the last of the female IDF soldiers captured from their base on Kibbutz Nir Oz to be released. She had begun her military service as a surveillance soldier, monitoring the Gaza border, just one week before the horrific attacks of October 7. It is unclear as to why she was not released last week alongside her four fellow soldiers who have since spoken about how difficult it was to leave her behind. They shared that Agam had lovingly and carefully braided their hair before their release. Agam is also a talented violinist.
The last of these three names also happens to connect powerfully to this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Bo. In Israel, official rosters list individuals by surname first, so Agam is recorded as “Berger, Agam—ברגר, אגם.” Her initials then spell the name of our parasha, Bo–בֹּא. Even more meaningfully, the Hebrew word בֹּא means “come!”—the same word we recite each Friday evening in the final verse of L’cha Dodi:
בּֽוֹאִי בְשָׁלוֹם עֲטֶֽרֶת בַּעְלָהּ. גַּם בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְצָהֳלָה. תּוֹךְ אֱמוּנֵי עַם סְגֻלָּה. בֹּֽאִי כַלָּה בֹּֽאִי כַלָּה:
“Come in peace, crown of Her beloved! Come in joy and gladness amidst your treasured and faithful people! Come, O Bride! Come, O Bride!”
There is still heartbreak and worry. There is still much work to be done and we will not stop until our very last loved one comes home. But each time another brother or sister returns, we celebrate. We breathe just a little easier. We smile as we see them reunited with their parents, siblings, spouses, children, and grandchildren. We rejoice because we are their family too.
Agam, Arbel, and Gadi—welcome home. We—and all of Am Yisrael—have been waiting.
You are our crown–important to us; at the forefront of our thoughts, our hopes and our prayers. You are forever our beloved. We welcome you with joy and gladness. We are your treasured and faithful family and we never stopped hoping, praying, and working for your return. We will never, ever give up on those still waiting for freedom.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yoshi