* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
What did Lena Troufanov request the day before her son, Sasha Troufanov, was released from captivity?
I had the privilege of participating in an international women’s Zoom session last Thursday night, organized by Sharon Adam and Rabbanit Rachel Bazak. Here is what Lena Troufanov requested from thousands of women in Israel and across the world who tuned in to this session. “Precious women, what do I ask from you? Try to be less irritated, to get less angry with someone, to say thank you or a kind word—any small gesture.”
The following day, Sasha, along with Iair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen, were released from captivity. But wait a minute, what is the connection between someone restraining herself from yelling at her kids at home and the hostage Sasha Troufanov? Lena explained that she came on aliyah to Israel from the former Soviet Union and didn’t know much about Judaism, but since Oct. 7 she has discovered her Jewish identity as well as the responsibility that Jews have for one another.
“It was Judaism that gave me meaning and joy during the days when I was being held hostage myself and after my release,” she said. “I understood that the entire Jewish people are deeply connected to one another and that each mitzvah that we do has an impact. I want you to know that whatever mitzvah you do is giving strength to Sasha and to me.”
She continued to talk about her decision not to watch the news until Sasha returned. Following the news, she believes, is draining, confusing, and unhelpful.
The Zoom meeting continued in that spirit. Shelly Shem Tov, the mother of hostage Omer Shem Tov, said that she still doesn’t know when her son will return. “I feel like I’m going through childbirth; it’s very painful but I know that something positive will emerge from this crisis and that you—my midwives—are helping me through this process. I ask you to take on one mitzvah that will give strength to your life.”
Sigi Cohen, mother of hostage Elya Cohen, requested that women think about her son when they light Shabbat candles, recite kiddush, and read the weekly parasha at shul. And Julie Kuperstein, Ditza Or, Efrat Mor, and Galit Chalfon, mothers of other hostages, each woman so powerful in her own right, also participated in this Zoom session.
The session ended with an address by Meirav Berger, mother of released hostage, Agam Berger. “I want to thank the millions of Jews who were with us throughout our journey. Agam was kidnapped because she is Jewish—and it caused people to reflect on what this means to them as Jews. Only together, with strength and prayer, can we make the impossible possible. Dream big and make your prayers and requests as powerful as they can be.”
This session was not a live news broadcast, but it’s so important to listen to the voices of these women. I was reminded of this meeting again on Shabbat when we read the Torah portion that describes the Revelation on Sinai and the giving of the Ten Commandments, the monumental event that formed our nation and created an everlasting bond between us.
May we continue to hear good news.
