Finding faith in captivity: Another former Israeli hostage, Sasha Troufanov says he now believes in God

Former Israeli hostage Sasha Troufanov, who was released from captivity this February, recently spoke about his new faith in God at the Palm Beach Synagogue, Florida. 

He told the congregation, “Before October 7, I didn’t believe in God at all.”

Troufanov explained that he was raised in a community that was atheist, emphasising that God had no place in his life at all. However, something happened to him deep underground while he was held in captivity by Hamas. 

“During the time I was held in Gaza and the tough things I went through, step by step I got the place to reflect about my life, what I’ve been through, what I’ve done before October 7, the event itself, and what I’m doing now. And this time and this place, I’m in Gaza and I started reflecting on my life and thinking about what life itself is, is God real or not? I came to the understanding that there is God.”

Troufanov was released in February after having been shot in both legs during the kidnapping, and being left alone, chained, and in the dark for much of his captivity. He explains how his new faith in God helped him cope:

“It gave me a lot of strength – believing, being able to pray, finding strength from prayer, being able to understand that well, maybe I’m in a tough moment right now, maybe God put me in a place that is – well it’s a tough place, it’s very sad, you’re alone, and you feel very vulnerable. It’s my choice, what I’m doing with it. I can be sad, I can be depressed, or I can find strength to do things that will help me get out of this situation. To find happiness, even if there is not a lot to be happy for, I choose the second choice and it’s helped me a lot.”

He continued, “During the time it helped me, my life was in danger. It helped me in tough situations, it helped me going through hardships. As well as physically, it also helped my soul a lot and I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to find this belief in God, during this tough time.” 

Several other released hostages have also recounted how they turned to God in a new way while in captivity.

Determined to practice their faith even amid the horrors of the Hamas tunnels, some tried to keep the biblical feasts by fasting on Yom Kippur and marking Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, despite coming from secular backgrounds.

Others relayed how they improvised with what little they had for Friday night prayers, using water in place of wine. Keith Siegel began to bless his food with thanks despite not having done so for most of his 65 years, and began to pray daily, along with fellow hostage Eli Sharabi, despite both coming from a thoroughly secular lifestyle.

“I’m not a religious person” admitted Sharabi, “but since day one of being kidnapped I say “Shema Israel” every morning.”

When asked if he used to say the prayer before, he said he had never done it in his life, adding, “the power of faith is incredible.” He was asked if he felt God was there with him in the tunnels, and Sharabi responded, “There’s something… there’s something watching over you.”

Shir Siegel, daughter of Keith and Aviva, believes her father’s newfound faith is what helped him survive. Both her parents were kidnapped but Aviva was released much earlier than Keith, who had to endure many months in terrible conditions.

Shir told Channel 14 in an interview, "After he returned, I asked him what he wanted us to do for our first Shabbat meal together. I imagined he'd want some meal he loves or a good challah. But he told me, 'You know what I want most? A kippa and a kiddush cup.'"

Agam Berger has also famously come out of the tunnels with a new passion for God, telling the world, “I have chosen the way of faith” on the whiteboard she was given to send a message, as she was airlifted back to Israel.