From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
At Hostages Square, released captive Bar Kuperstein thanks Israelis for their support
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Released hostage Bar Kuperstein speaks at the weekly Tuesday night gathering at Hostages Square, offering thanks for the prayers for him and the other hostages.
“I don’t have words to describe the love, what you did for me and the others,” says Kuperstein. “Part of my rehabilitation is coming here and saying thank you and appreciating what you did.”
Kuperstein says he was told to come with a prepared speech, but says, “I’m coming freestyle, that’s the best way to do it.”
He invites the audience to join him for a massive gathering of laying phylacteries, or tefillin, on Friday at 10 a.m., as part of the effort to bring home the remaining hostages.
“Join us and fulfill my dream from captivity of putting on tefillin,” says Kuperstein.
Faina Kuperstein, his grandmother, briefly takes the podium to thank the Israeli nation for its support.
“My grandson came back!” says Kuperstein. “Thank you so, so much.”
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