The Spark Within: The Story of Our Hostages

Matan Angrest, 22, was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 from his tank near Nahal Oz after a fierce battle that left the rest of his crew dead. Despite suffering severe injuries and brutal torture, he described his experience as “a series of miracles.” Just weeks into captivity, Matan demanded a siddur, Chumash, and tefillin, and shockingly, his captors complied. “I prayed three times a day: morning, afternoon, and night,” he recalled. “It protected me; it gave me hope.”

Rom Braslavski, 21, was taken from the Nova music festival after rescuing others despite being wounded in both hands. Throughout his captivity, he was repeatedly pressured to convert to Islam, with promises of better treatment and more food. For two years, he refused. When finally freed, his first act was to put on tefillin. “Rom didn’t break,” said his mother. “He came back saying, ‘I am a Jew. I am a strong Jew.’”