Agam Berger alongside Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon & her mother to her left (Source: video clip - @streetwize/X)
Video clip of Agam Berger with Yossi Dagan, Rabbi Levanon & her mom

Agam Berger Visits Joseph’s Tomb, Prays for Soldiers & Hostages

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The Judean Staff
National

In a powerful and deeply emotional moment, Agam Berger, a former hostage whose resilience and unwavering spirit became a source of inspiration for those held captive with her, visited the sacred site of Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus on Sunday night. Berger, who endured 482 harrowing days in captivity in Gaza, has emerged as a symbol of strength, hope, and faith for the people of Israel.

During her time in captivity, Berger was known as a "rock" among the hostages, braiding the hair of her fellow captives and keeping morale high in the most desperate of conditions. Her faith never wavered, and her words upon release—“I chose the path of faith”—have since become a rallying cry for countless Israelis.

A Hero’s Welcome at a Sacred Site

Accompanied by her mother, Meirav Berger, as well as Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, and Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Berger's visit to Joseph’s Tomb was a testament to her enduring faith and gratitude toward the soldiers who secured her freedom. The group was escorted by Colonel Ariel Gonen, Major Ron Levy, IDF soldiers, Border Police, and Israel Police forces—an elite protective detail that ensured the sacred pilgrimage took place safely.

Standing before the tomb of Joseph the Righteous—a biblical figure who himself overcame trials and imprisonment to rise to greatness—Berger lit a candle and offered a heartfelt prayer for Israel’s soldiers and the return of those still held captive.

An Award of Faith and Strength

In a poignant ceremony, Yossi Dagan presented Berger with a beautifully framed certificate bearing the words that have come to define her journey: “I chose the path of faith.” These were her first words upon being liberated from captivity, a declaration that has since inspired an entire nation.

“Agam Berger, with your unshakable faith, you preserved the Jewish spirit,” the certificate read. “With your strength, you uplifted an entire generation. With your determination, you gave the people of Israel courage and hope.”

Dagan, visibly moved, also gifted Berger a prayer book engraved with her name, telling her, “Agam, you symbolize faith. You don’t know how much the people of Israel love and admire you. You are a light in the darkness, a living testament to Jewish resilience.”

Turning to Meirav Berger, he added, “Agam, you are a symbol, and your mother, who raised you this way, is a symbol of something beyond human. You remained steadfast in your Jewish identity, keeping kosher and upholding Jewish dignity in impossible conditions. Even those barbarians respected you for it.”

A Sacred Mission: Praying for Redemption

Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, deeply touched by the moment, blessed both Berger and her mother. He prayed fervently for the safe return of all remaining hostages and for Israel’s ultimate victory over its enemies.

“May you be a messenger for the people of Israel, bringing good news and seeing the good in everyone,” he prayed, his voice filled with emotion.

For Meirav Berger, the visit to Joseph’s Tomb held profound significance. Twice before, following the horrors of October 7, she had attempted to visit the site but had been unable to do so. “Today, it finally happened,” she said. “It feels like Joseph the Righteous invited you, Agam, so we could come here together and pray for the redemption of the people of Israel.”

Speaking with deep conviction, she continued, “I came here to pray for our brothers to return home to their families. Family is a sacred value, and Agam deeply missed her family in captivity. We must return to our roots, see ourselves as one family, and bring the hostages back.”

Faith in the Face of Darkness

Agam Berger’s captivity was not just a test of endurance but of spirit. She was taken because she is a Jew, but she emerged from the depths of Gaza with her Jewish identity stronger than ever. “Now is the time for us to return to our identity, our values, and to live as Jews. May redemption come soon, with mercy,” her mother declared.

Shortly after her release, during her transit to Israeli territory aboard an IDF helicopter, Berger scrawled her message of faith on a board: “I chose the path of faith, and through faith, I have returned. Thank you to all the people of Israel and the heroic soldiers of the IDF—there is no one like you in the world!”

As Israel continues its struggle for the safe return of all hostages and the ultimate defeat of its enemies, Agam Berger stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Her visit to Joseph’s Tomb was not just a personal pilgrimage—it was a declaration of Jewish survival, a prayer for victory, and a reminder that faith, even in the darkest of times, will always lead the way home.

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