Bar Kuperstein (Bar Avraham ben Julia), 22, from Holon, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. He and his friend Din Tesler were working security at the Nova festival when the attack began. Din and several others hid in the bushes until they were rescued by the IDF, but Bar was abducted and taken to Gaza.

Bar, a paramedic, served as a combat medic in the Nahal brigade. He is the sole supporter for his four siblings, mother and disabled father. Din has been active in advocating for Bar and all of the hostages, urging governments and individuals to do whatever they can to secure their release.

Israeli attorney Tzvika Graiver set up locations where Jews can put on Bar’s tefillin and pray for his safe return. The tefillin have traveled to many cities in the U.S. and Canada, including Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and Boca Raton.