From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Bereaved Oct. 7 survivor, released hostage perform at March of the Living ceremony
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Bereaved Kibbutz Be’eri survivor Daniel Weiss and released hostage Agam Berger perform onstage at the official ceremony for the March of the Living, with Berger playing a 150-year-old violin saved during the Holocaust.
Weiss, whose father was killed protecting the kibbutz on October 7 while his mother was murdered in Hamas captivity, plays guitar and sings “Oh guardian of Israel, guard the remnant of Israel,” which he also sang under the entrance to Auschwitz on Wednesday. Berger’s violin piece is the haunting melody from “Schindler’s List.”
The pair, backed by members of the official IDF Rabbinate choir, play the songs to the subdued applause of the crowd.
At the end of the performance, members of the delegations cry, “Bring them home now!” As they sit in the pouring rain at the ceremony, which is shortened due to the inclement weather.
After several survivors lead the crowd in singing ״Hatikva,״ IDF Cantor Shai Abramson and survivor Sarah Weinstein sing the Yiddish song “Oyfn Pripetchik” onstage during a lightning and thunderstorm.
The Times of Israel Community.