Sheba Will Be Ready for Bar

October 11, 2024

Sheba Medical Center has been entrusted by the State of Israel to handle the homecoming of the majority of released and rescued hostages.

Part of the responsibility is having information on those who remain captive, so that Sheba can be best prepared. So on this week in which we mark a year of captivity for the hostages, let us better understand one of them.

Bar Kupershtein, a 22-year-old from Holon, served as a combat medic in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade.

After his father Tal was seriously injured in a car accident while en route to assist in an emergency as a volunteer with United Hatzalah, Bar took on the responsibility for his family. Tal became severely disabled following the accident, and Bar stepped up to manage the family falafel stand while also working as a security guard at events to support his mother and five younger siblings.

In addition, Bar himself was an active volunteer with the “Yedidim” organization, helping people in need.

On October 7th, Bar was working as a security guard at the “Nova” music festival.

Despite the chaos and danger, Bar remained at the scene to assist the wounded and those affected. As a combat medic, Bar chose to stay and provide aid to the injured, even though the risk to his own life was immense. In chilling footage later released by Hamas, Bar can be seen lying on the ground with his hands bound, moments before he was abducted by terrorists and taken to Gaza.

Since the abduction, no information has been received about Bar’s condition, leaving his family in agonizing uncertainty. Nevertheless, they hold onto the belief that Bar, with his strong and caring nature, continues to survive and help others, even in the harsh conditions of captivity.

Bar is known by his friends and family as a strong and dominant figure, someone who always put the needs of others before his own. Even as his family faced financial difficulties following his father’s injury, Bar was dedicated to caring for everyone around him. The local community in Holon has rallied to support his family, but Bar’s absence is deeply felt.

Upon their release from Gaza, most of the abductees are first brought to Sheba Medical Center for initial evaluations and medical care. This includes physical assessments such as blood tests, imaging, and general medical examinations, as well as psychological treatments aimed at helping the abductees cope with the trauma and hardships they experienced during captivity.

The skilled Sheba staff not only provide physical care but also offer emotional support through psychologists and psychiatrists, helping the freed captives to deal with the mental and emotional toll of their ordeal. Sheba is literally “writing the book” on how to care for returned hostages.

We pray that Bar and all the living hostages will arrive soon to Sheba, where they will receive the dedicated and professional care they deserve.

Am Yisrael Chai