Released October 7 hostage tells his story

Bar Kupershtein, 23, who endured 738 days in Hamas captivity before his release in October, traveled to Westfield last week to tell his story of survival, resilience, and hope. He spoke to an audience of more than 750 at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield; the audience included Westfield Town Council representatives, elected officials, local faith leaders, and community members. Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains was a partner in the program.

The evening was a project spearheaded by Temple Emanu-El congregant Shoshana Natt, who worked tirelessly for two years to bring awareness to Kupershtein’s story and to advocate for his release. “I never thought I was doing anything extraordinary,” she said. “As a mom, it’s what I would hope someone would do for my child if I were in this position.”

After picking up Mr. Kupershtein’s hostage poster at the November 2023 Rally for Israel in Washington, Ms. Natt learned that he had acted heroically on October 7, 2023, before he was taken hostage. Last December, she brought his brother, Dvir Kupershtein, and his best friend, Nova Music Festival survivor Din Tesler, to Temple Emanu-El to tell their stories and advocate for Bar’s release. When Bar was freed on October 13, 2025, as part of the final group of living Israeli hostages released, Ms. Natt began planning to bring him to New Jersey. “It feels nothing short of miraculous to be standing here with Bar,” she said. “After praying for him and staring at his poster in my kitchen for months, welcoming him back as a hero is something I will never forget.”

Mr. Kupershtein described his experience, including details from October 7, 2023, and the emotional and physical toll of his captivity. He drew strength from his faith, dreams of his family, and the unwavering efforts of the people advocating for his release.

“For us, what is most important is to focus on the good things, to stay positive, with good energy,” he said. “Be strong.… It is the only way for us. We don’t have any other way.” Reflecting on the long days imprisoned in the tunnels beneath Gaza, he added: “Every night and every day, I slept. And now I don’t want to sleep. I live life. I don’t want to dream!” On October 13, the day of his release, he declared “This is my new birthday.”

Other speakers included Rabbis Ethan Prosnit and Victor Appell of Temple Emanu-El and Rabbi Howard Tilman of Congregation Beth Israel.

Temple Emanu-El congregant Miriam Aronowitz and her uncle Bob Milgrim, the father of American diplomat Sarah Milgrim, who was murdered in an antisemitic attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington in May, also were at the talk.

“For over two years, our community lifted our voices to bring the hostages home,” Rabbi Prosnit said. “We marched, we prayed, and we advocated for their return. It was so powerful to be with over 700 people from our community to hear Bar’s story of captivity. His words moved us, his presence inspired us, and his resilience gave us hope even during difficult times.” For more information, go to www.tewnj.org.