58 hostages remain in Gaza, and tragically, we do not know how many are still alive. In light of this, the Board of Deputies are continuing the Adopt a Hostage campaign and NEMS are adopting 2 of the remaining hostages for what we hope will be a very short time. We are hopeful that one is still alive but sadly we know that one is not.
Bar Kupershtein is the eldest sibling among five brothers and sisters and is the main breadwinner for the family. Bar worked at every opportunity to support and provide for his family, including the Saturday he was kidnapped; He was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im. According to survivors of the massacre at the festival, Bar selflessly tended to those injured; providing first aid, rather than seeking refuge. His actions during the chaos showcased his unwavering commitment to assist, even in the direst circumstances. Bar’s last known location was traced to 8.00am. Subsequently, alarming footage and images surfaced, revealing Bar, tied up and lying on the ground, among other Israeli hostages, somewhere in Gaza. Bar’s birthday is 1 April – he is now 25 years of age and remains a hostage in Gaza.
Ronen Engel went to fight against the terrorists who attacked Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of 7 October 2023. He left his wife, Karina, and their daughters, Mika and Yuval, at home – they were kidnapped separately from him and subsequently released in November 2023. Four days after their release, Kibbutz Nir Oz was informed Ronen was murdered on 7 October 2023, and his body remains in Hamas captivity. Ronen’s brother said: “We spoke to them last when they were in the shelter and Ronen was armed. Someone from the kibbutz told us that they spoke to Karina during the abduction, and Ronen was not with them and had gone to fight. We know for sure that the three girls were together. We did not know where Ronen was and what his fate was – but at 10 in the morning, the terrorists posted pictures on Ronen’s story and footage of them on a tank.” Ronen had just completed a degree in water engineering. He was also a photographer, a devoted motorcycle enthusiast and vintage collector. Ronen volunteered with ‘Magen David Adom’ as an emergency medical technician, and was nearing the completion of his ambulance driver training.
We ask New Essex Masorti Synagogue to remember them both in their prayers, along with all the other hostages. Each hostage is an individual and each hostage must not be forgotten. We pray for Bar’s safe return and for the swift return of Ronen’s body so that he may be laid to rest by his family.
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