Defying Hamas, Agam Berger prayed from a siddur she found in Gaza
In the depths of Hamas captivity where evil sought to break both body and spirit, 20-year-old Agam Berger found divine strength in a discovered prayer book, maintaining unwavering Jewish observance through 482 days of hell that would ultimately reveal the transcendent power of faith to overcome the darkest of human cruelty.


New details have emerged about Agam Berger's extraordinary commitment to Jewish faith during her 482-day captivity in Gaza, painting a picture of remarkable spiritual resistance under extreme conditions.
The 20-year-old IDF surveillance soldier, who was kidnapped from Nahal Oz during the October 7th attack, maintained strict religious observances despite pressure from her captors. According to fellow released hostages, Berger refused to cook or work on Shabbat, even when ordered to do so by Hamas.
Recent revelations from Yaffa Deri, wife of Shas party chairman MK Aryeh Deri, indicate that Berger found a prayer book in Gaza, likely left behind by IDF soldiers, which she used throughout her captivity. She steadfastly rejected her captors' attempts to give her a Quran, maintaining her Jewish identity under pressure.
"She prayed a lot, blessed the food, and refused to light a fire on Shabbat," reported Agam Goldstein, another released hostage. Despite severe food shortages, Berger maintained kosher dietary restrictions, refusing to eat non-kosher meat. She even observed the fast of Tisha B'Av, a significant day of Jewish mourning, while in captivity.
Her religious dedication extended beyond personal practice. "We knew clearly that she had the strength to do things that people wouldn't believe she could do. Faith gave her the power," her father, Shlomi Berger, told a Haredi news outlet. Her mother, Meirav, was so committed to honoring Agam's religious observance that she requested media and officials respect Shabbat if her daughter were to be released on that day.
The Berger family received consistent support throughout the ordeal from Jewish community leaders. Yaffa Deri, Margalit Peretz-Deri, and Tzili Schneider from the "Jewish Connection" organization accompanied the family to rallies, Sabbath gatherings, and visits to holy sites during the 15-month wait for Agam's return.
"If I had to stand here and thank everyone who was there for us, I would be standing here until the end of my life," Meirav Berger said in her first statement at Beilinson Hospital following Agam's release.
Berger's story has resonated deeply within Jewish communities worldwide, with many viewing her as a modern symbol of religious perseverance under extreme duress. Her commitment to maintaining Jewish practice in captivity has become a powerful testament to spiritual resistance in the face of terror.
The celebrations following her release included traditional Jewish rituals, including hafrashat challah, marking both the joy of her return and the triumph of maintaining religious identity under the most challenging circumstances.
Israel Hayom contributed to this article.