Over a year had passed since the first hostage exchange. Therefore, with the release of three hostages from Hamas captivity in January 2025—Emily Damari, Romi
Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher. This sparked widespread celebration across Israel and the Jewish world.
However, one striking detail caught my attention, all three women were seen with their hair neatly braided. In fact, after further investigation, I discovered when the first hostages were returned in November 2023, their hair was also braided!
Several of the returned captives, talked about the Israeli woman who braided their hair in the tunnel, before their release, asking them, “How would you like your hair braided?”
In the dungeons of Hamas, stripped of all humanity, dignity and free choices, the decision of what to do with their hair remained one small area left in the hands of the hostage. One released hostage told Israeli media, “It felt like she was giving us a piece of her strength to carry with us.”
We know now that her name is Agam Berger. Agam was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base on October 7, 2023, along with her friends, four female soldiers.
Other released hostages have told that Agam was a beacon of light, she was often confined in tunnels and safe houses by her kidnappers. Even then, she maintained a calm composure, soothing others with her presence.
Agam Goldstein, a former captive, recalled of Agam Berger, “She kept strong, maintained her faith, and was the silent support for others. She prayed a lot, blessed the food, and refused to light a fire on Shabbat.”
This quiet rebellion reflected her commitment to her faith and values. Once, her Hamas kidnappers ordered her to cook on Shabbat, at the risk of further persecution, she refused, adhering to her faith.
Agam, was expected to be one of the hostages released in the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. However, when her mother Merav heard that Agam’s release was scheduled for Saturday, (February 1st) fearing media coverage would violate the Shabbat, she asked the press to hold off filming or reporting on her daughter’s return until after the holy day.
In a remarkable turn of events, Meirav’s prayer to avoid a Shabbat desecration appears to have been answered. Agam’s release was changed from Shabbat to Thursday.
The Midrash (Rabbinic teachings) write that at the dawn of creation when Hashem ‘created’ Eve, before bringing her to Adam, He braided her hair in order that she look beautiful for her life’s partner, Adam. In fact we remember this gift every Shabbat. On Friday Shabbat Eve, there are special Challah loaves. This bread is unique in that it is traditionally made braided with three ropes of dough.
The story is remarkable. In the face of adversity, enduring subhuman conditions in the dungeons of Hamas, she was a beacon of light. She maintained her faith by not violating the Shabbat. She retained her humanity by reaching out to fellow captives, bestowing on them dignity and humanity with the simple yet sublime act of braiding their hair.
January 30: In honour of Agam’s release, El Al’s women employees, all braided their hair. A wig store catering to Orthodox women, braided all the wig display models, and array of ‘Braids for Agam’ graphics have circulated on social media. Many Jewish day schools in the United States urged their students to wear braids.
Her mother Merav said of her daughter, “Agam always knew how to give to others. Even now, (after 480 days in captivity) she shows strength and gives inspiration to others in what she is doing”.
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