Path of Faith

It’s a pasuk that Agam says guided her through 482 long days of captivity — and the same words that from across the border, her mother, Merav, used to campaign for her daughter’s freedom.

“Merav and Agam Berger are a mother and daughter who traveled a parallel journey from two entirely different places, Gaza and Israel,” says Riki Siton.

Riki, a volunteer with the Ayelet Hashachar kiruv initiative, has become a close confidante to many hostage mothers through her involvement in the “Ohel Tefillah” at Hostage Square. (See Family First, Issue 903, “Our Woman at the Hostage Headquarters.”) Over the past year, Riki cultivated a close relationship with Merav, and spoke with her daily.

“The story really starts with Merav, Agam’s mother,” Riki begins. “Three months before Agam was taken hostage, Merav lost her own mother. The Berger family is traditional, but not strictly observant, and as a way to help cope with the pain of her loss, Merav decided to start keeping Shabbos. She didn’t expect the rest of her family to join her, it was more a solo initiative to mitigate her grief.”