"Avinatan tried to escape from captivity and then they beat him," Yaron Or told Kalman Lieberman on Reshet Bet. "He was locked in a cage the width of a mattress and 5.9 feet (1.80 meters) tall. For over a year, he was chained to the bars. It's a miracle they didn't harm him. Around him were guards whose relatives were harmed."

From additional details shared since his return from captivity, it emerges that Avinatan spent the entire two years in captivity alone, attempted to escape from the Hamas terrorists guarding him, but the escape attempt failed, and his captors caught him and placed him in solitary confinement. For a period, Avinatan was bound in chains as punishment after the escape attempt.

Captivity survivor Avinatan Or published his first message to his friends, who fought for his return, after he was freed from captivity. "What's up, my dear friends? I'm so happy to see you. I saw all of you below, through the van. What craziness. I'm so happy to see you," he said. "We'll meet very soon, I believe. I'm fine, tired and exhausted, but soon we'll meet and fill in all the gaps. I heard you did so much for me. I love you."

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The October 7 war brought Holocaust memories back into public focus, featuring accounts of slaughter, brutality, and horrifying photographs of captives. Many discuss parallels to the most tragic chapter in Jewish history, yet while we all recall atrocities we never expected to witness again, eight decades later, support for Holocaust survivors grows weaker.

The foundation, which typically succeeds through persistent effort in matching volunteers with most applicants, has failed for months to identify new volunteers capable of delivering necessary care. Numerous Holocaust survivors remain on waiting lists for volunteer placement – someone who will offer attentive listening and emotional support.

Crisis in volunteerism

"We're experiencing Holocaust survivors' most crucial period," Yael Zait, director of volunteering and community services at the foundation, states. "Their need for volunteers exceeds all previous levels – individuals who will share coffee, provide companionship, and assist with basic tasks. Regrettably, the war has resulted in many volunteers receiving military call-ups or discontinuing service for various reasons, creating direct consequences for survivors awaiting our services."

The volunteer deficit manifests throughout operations. Rachel Bruch, a five-year volunteer who has served four different survivors during her tenure, emphasizes the significance of individual relationships: "These visits transcend mere assistance – they represent profound bonds. We spend time together, converse, share laughter, and occasionally tears. Their expressions reveal their desperate need for human presence. The thought of survivors waiting without anyone reaching them deeply troubles me."

Amir Golub, an experienced foundation volunteer, has supported Holocaust survivor Ezriel Tziperbert for eight years. Their partnership included participating together in the March of the Living at Auschwitz – a moment he characterizes as extraordinary: "Accompanying Ezriel to Auschwitz created profound emotion, granting me the privilege of experiencing his narrative alongside other survivors' testimonies. Years of friendship have created family-like bonds, where volunteering provided not merely purpose but exceptional human relationships, and I understand Ezriel's dependence on this connection."

Vital human relationships

Vera Tamnov, a survivor aged 93, observes: "My longtime volunteer companion can no longer visit, leaving me experiencing days without meaningful conversation. Even brief thirty-minute discussions create a substantial impact."

Yehudit Zelstein, a 94-year-old survivor, reflects: "Through Neta and Adiel, my exceptional volunteers, I maintain happiness and recognize my value. Without their presence, my existence would hold much greater sadness."

Tragically, several dedicated foundation volunteers are unable to resume their service after perishing in combat, including Staff Sergeant Omri Ben Shahar who volonteered with Holocaust survivor Moshe Adler; Captain Avi Goldberg, who assisted Holocaust survivor Asher Wolach; Staff Sergeant Gilad Elmaliach, who supported Holocaust survivor Vladimir Linder; and Sergeant Major Shay Arvas of blessed memory, who aided Holocaust survivor Aviva Ben Yakar. These heroes' memories remain with us, accompanied by boundless appreciation for the compassion and care they delivered to survivors throughout their service.

The Foundation for the Welfare of Holocaust Victims urgently appeals to citizens to volunteer, particularly during this era when Holocaust survivors experience their remaining years while seeking modest human connection.

Volunteer registration is available through the organization's website or by telephone: 03-6090866.

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The Aluma organization's findings paint a concerning portrait of employment instability, eroding confidence, and critical skill gaps affecting the emerging generation. When examining career outlook, merely 14% of respondents express certainty about their professional futures, with 42% maintaining cautious optimism and another 14% reporting persistent anxiety and stress. Arab youth demonstrate heightened concern, with 28% experiencing worry and pressure – approximately twice the overall average.

The ongoing wartime posture Israel has been in since Oct. 7, 2023 fundamentally disrupted employment patterns. Half of all working young people underwent career transitions during Operation Iron Swords, while 43% of university students experienced academic disruptions, including one-third who switched institutions or academic disciplines.

Employment concerns (52%), personal relationships, and economic independence represent the primary challenges facing today's youth. Nevertheless, 17% of survey participants acknowledge feeling entirely unprepared for their futures, contrasting with just 40% who express readiness.

Professional skill development presents significant obstacles. Only 40% of young respondents believe they can readily develop essential "soft skills" including communication abilities, adaptability, and innovative thinking. Some 43% foresee substantial difficulties, while 17% doubt their potential success. Technology-related competencies present even steeper challenges – just one-third feel confident about acquiring these capabilities, with 23% expressing complete pessimism about their prospects.

Military reservists experienced the most profound impact. Twenty-seven percent of surveyed youth or their spouses completed at least 60 days of reserve duty since October 2023, with 64% suffering significant life disruption, primarily affecting emotional well-being (32%), professional circumstances (31%), and financial stability (29%).

Dr. Tami Chalmish Eisenman, Aluma organization CEO, emphasizes that "Israel's rehabilitation hinges on young people feeling confident about their futures. Without immediate implementation of practical training programs and essential skill development initiatives, we face serious workforce deficits and intellectual emigration. This report represents an urgent call to action for our entire society."

The Aluma organization annually engages with approximately 60,000 young people nationwide, focusing on creating equitable opportunities, reducing inter-community disparities, and facilitating successful workforce integration.

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The names of the fallen soldiers, four fighters from the Netzach Yehuda Battalion and one fighter from the Northern Brigade, were cleared for publication: Staff sergeant Meir Shimon Amar, 20, from Jerusalem; Sergeant Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, from Jerusalem; Staff Sergeant Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20, from Jerusalem; Staff sergeant Moshe Shmuel Noll; and Sergeant First Class (res.) Benyamin Asulin , 28, from Haifa. Fourteen additional fighters were wounded in the incident – two seriously, six moderately and six lightly. They were evacuated to hospitals and their families were notified.

Incident details

The fighters were struck when their unit was carrying out an offensive operation in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers were ambushed by an array of improvised explosive devices while operating in the area, and Northern Brigade forces were rushed to evacuate the wounded from the field. During the evacuation attempt, fire was opened toward the forces, wounding some of the fighters. The IDF continues to investigate the details of the incident.

The Netzach Yehuda battalion, which is a special unit that is tailored for the needs of religious conscripts, stated, "With a broken and tearful heart, we join in the mourning of the families over the death of their sons, brave fighters who risked their lives and sanctified God's name for the People of Israel. The Netzach Yehuda Battalion entered the maneuver a few days ago for another round in a battalion combat team to fight in northern Gaza Strip."

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According to Gilboa, she entered the cafe and asked to use the bathroom. When the employee refused, she explained that she urgently needed to go. He continued to argue and deny her access.

"I told him his behavior reminded me of when I had to beg the terrorists during my captivity just to go to the bathroom," Gilboa recounted. "He replied, 'Who cares that you were kidnapped? When we say no, it's no. Get out of here.'"

Gilboa said none of the other customers intervened. "Even though I was humiliated, no one got up to help me," she said. "No one should have to experience something like that. A business that respects itself shouldn't treat people this way."

She shared the incident on her Instagram story, prompting an outpouring of reactions. Many viewers expressed their outrage by leaving negative reviews of the cafe on Google in protest.

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During his stay, Rabbi Hirsch met with David Hager, a businessman and one of the principal supporters of Netzah Yehuda, an organization that promotes the integration of Haredi soldiers into the Israel Defense Forces while preserving their religious lifestyle. Hager is personally involved in various Haredi military initiatives and is considered one of the most influential voices in the internal discourse surrounding solutions to the ultra-Orthodox draft issue.

In the meeting, Hager briefed Rabbi Hirsch on the situation in Israel, highlighting the mounting political and legal pressures to enforce mandatory conscription in the ultra-Orthodox sector. He stressed the need for a new framework that would safeguard Torah study while also responding to the country's security needs and the growing public demand for equality in sharing the national burden.

Among other things, Hager told Rabbi Hirsch: "If you try to take too much, you end up with nothing. Instead of agreeing to draft 4,800 ultra-Orthodox soldiers, a target that is simply unrealistic, it would be better to agree on a more achievable goal: the addition of just 1,500 combat soldiers. That's a feasible number, and it carries real military and public significance."

Hager said he had formulated a basic framework that could potentially serve as a compromise: most yeshiva students would continue their Torah studies undisturbed, while those who do not study full-time and instead pursue higher education or join the workforce would be integrated into special frameworks that maintain Haredi identity and values. "This is not a spiritual compromise, it's a public responsibility," he said.

According to Hager, Rabbi Hirsch listened attentively, expressed appreciation for Hager's work, and emphasized the imperative of holding steadfast to the world of Torah, especially in times of political and security upheaval.

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Kutz, who was among the founders of Kibbutz Kfar Aza and whose son, Aviv, his wife, Livnat, and their children, Rotem, Yonatan, and Yiftach, were brutally murdered in the October 7 massacre at the kibbutz, passed away this week in her seventies.

Her husband, Benny, was by her side until her final day. Benny and Tamar were leading and beloved figures in the kibbutz, where they lived their entire adult lives and raised their family. Tamar worked as a beloved kindergarten teacher and educator for many years.

On the morning of October 7, when the attack began, Benny and Tamar entered their safe room. They repeatedly tried to check on their son Aviv and his family, who lived at the edge of the kibbutz, but were unable to establish contact with them. Later, it was discovered that gunmen had broken into the family's home and shot all family members to death, with Aviv embracing his wife and children in their final moments.

These were Tamar's words at the family funeral held in October 2023: "Your dream house that you planned together now stands empty and orphaned, overlooking the fence and the houses on the other side, where monsters grew, toward the strip of blackness and evil. Last Saturday, in the place that was your home and where all your lives were cut short, you embraced everyone – but this time you couldn't protect them, and we are left crying and orphaned."

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In an emotional full-circle moment, former Hamas captive Eliya Cohen returned Sunday for the first time to the bunker from which he was kidnapped and donned tefillin.

Video: Eilya Cohen dons Tefillin in 'Death Bunker' / Credit: Standing Together

Eliya Cohen was abducted on October 7 by Hamas terrorists after attending the Nova music festival with his girlfriend, Ziv Abud. When the rocket fire began, they fled to a bunker that later became known as the "death bunker." With them were Ziv's nephew, Amit Ben Avida, and his girlfriend Karin Schwartzman, who were both killed, while Eliya was kidnapped to Gaza.

Eliya was released from captivity after 505 days. His girlfriend, Ziv, posted a photo of the couple at the bunker today and wrote, "I can't write anything, just victory."

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"A personal request to all coalition members from the father of a hostage who was murdered in captivity in Gaza," he wrote in a Facebook post. "Please stop wearing the yellow hostage pin. Every time I see one of you wearing it, it adds to the pain." The request reflects his deep mistrust in the Israeli government and its intentions.

Earlier this month, Polin commented on the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, saying the team negotiating the hostages' release had never received a genuine mandate to push for a breakthrough. "I hope the true story of the failed hostage negotiations will come to light one day," he wrote. "I continue to believe that the government never gave the Israeli negotiating team a broad or serious enough mandate. Some members of the team pushed hard for a broader mandate, but to no avail. Thank you, Ronen Bar, for being one of those who pushed."

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Video: Desecration of Tel Aviv's Great Synagogue // In accordance with Section 27A of the Copyright Law

Religious Services Minister Michael Malchieli responded: "The desecration of the synagogue in Tel Aviv will not be forgiven! The desecrators have trampled millions of Jews underfoot. I call on law enforcement to investigate and bring the perpetrators of this pogrom to justice."

Deputy Tel Aviv Mayor Elhanan Zebulun issued a sharp condemnation: "This is a dangerous red line that cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Attacking synagogues is an affront to Judaism and Jewish tradition in particular, and to the Jewish people as a whole. It has no place in Israeli society."

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