In Your Head, You Count Every Day’: Former October 7 Hostage Reflects on Two Years in Captivity
Fundacion Rapala – Bar Kupershtein stepped out of the medical center with a smile that hid the weight of 738 days spent underground in Gaza. His gentle wave to supporters contrasted sharply with the trauma he endured two years he openly calls “hell.” At just 23, he faced the unimaginable: surviving starvation, isolation, and violence after being kidnapped during the October 7 attack on the Nova music festival. Yet, as he returned home to Holon, his laughter felt like a small act of defiance, a signal that his spirit had not been broken. Kupershtein said he chooses humor as a way to move forward, believing that healing requires looking ahead rather than replaying the horrors of his captivity. His resilience sets the tone for a story defined not by suffering but by strength.
The Moment Heroism Became a Life-Changing Choice
On October 7, 2023, Kupershtein worked at the Nova Festival as a security guard, responsible for the safety of thousands of young people. When the attack began, he made a choice that altered the course of his life: he stayed behind to protect the wounded instead of fleeing. This decision cost him his freedom for more than two years, yet he insists he would do it again. He describes that moment not as an act of bravery but as a duty he could not abandon. Survivors have since called him a hero, though he brushes off the praise with modesty. “I just did my job,” he says. His words reflect a rare moral clarity one rooted not in fear, but in an instinctive commitment to the people who relied on him in their most desperate hour.
Life Underground: Counting Days to Survive the Silence
Kupershtein spent 738 days in what he described as “a small dungeon,” blindfolded for long periods and forbidden to speak. To keep his mind from collapsing under stress, he counted days in his head a routine that became his anchor. The silence was often broken by violence; he recalled moments when he and other hostages were beaten, starved, or threatened with execution. These memories remain vivid. He talks about them with a measured calm, perhaps because revisiting them is part of understanding how he survived. Kupershtein says he often felt like the most miserable person in the world. Yet even in those moments, a quiet determination pushed him forward, reminding him that he needed to stay alive for the people waiting for him at home.
Enduring Abuse and Finding Strength Through Faith
Life in captivity was marked by physical and emotional torment. Episodes of violence worsened at times due to outside events, including political statements that inflamed tensions. It was during these periods that Kupershtein found himself relying heavily on faith. Though he describes himself as “traditional” before the kidnapping, captivity deepened his spiritual connection. He says prayer kept him alive, offering comfort when conditions grew harsher. Kupershtein believes each day he survived was “a miracle,” a sign that he would eventually return home. His faith became both a shield and a lifeline, helping him direct his fear toward hope rather than despair. This inner world sustained him even when he had little access to information, sunlight, or human kindness.
A Radio Signal From the Surface and the Fight of a Father
One of the rare lifelines the hostages discovered was a small radio transmitter meant to broadcast Quran recitations. Kupershtein managed to tune it to an Israeli military station. Hearing voices from home, even briefly, felt like a miracle. Through that signal, he learned of his family’s struggle to secure his release. His father, Tal, who had suffered a severe stroke years earlier, went through intense therapy to regain his speech so he could advocate publicly for his son. Kupershtein describes seeing photos of demonstrations and hearing about birthday gatherings held in his honor. Those moments reminded him that people were fighting for him outside the darkness. They strengthened his resolve during the many setbacks that threatened to extinguish hope.
The Final Hours and the Long Road Back to Normalcy
Kupershtein didn’t believe he was being released until he was physically on the way home. Too many previous deals had collapsed for him to trust another promise. When he finally walked free, the transition felt surreal. He describes Israel as a dream he wakes up to every morning light, air, safety all the things missing underground. But healing is slow. Sleepless nights, sudden anxiety, and moments of emotional disconnection still surface. He relies on family and support networks to regain a sense of normal life. Despite everything, he speaks openly about gratitude, hope, and the belief that wounds can heal with time. Beneath the smiles, he reminds people that recovery is not instant; it’s a daily process, shaped by patience and love.