A Chanukah evening with freed hostage Bar Kupershtein
Monday, December 7, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Evanston location provided to registered guests

When the attack began, he didn’t run. He went back into the gunfire. Then he spent 738 days in Hamas captivity. This Chanukah, Bar Kupershtein tells his story in Evanston.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, Bar was working as deputy security officer at the Nova music festival. Again and again he rode an ATV into the fire, evacuating the wounded and giving lifesaving care, until he was taken hostage himself.

For the next 738 days he was held in Hamas captivity in Gaza, with little food, no sunlight, and regular beatings. Back home, his family fought for his release while millions prayed. His mother started a campaign that sent his own tefillin to young people around the world, each one put on as a merit for his return. Bar says his own prayers in captivity were what kept him going.

On October 13, 2025, Bar came home with the last group of living hostages.

On the fourth night of Chanukah, a night when we add light to the world, Bar will share his story in person, in his own words. We’ll hear from someone who held on to that light in the darkest place imaginable.

Tickets
General admission · $36
Pre-Event VIP Reception with Bar Kupershtein · $180

Seats are limited, so reserve early.

Reserve your seat

Part of the Regina Fayman Lecture Series
Presented by Jewish Learning Foundation & Chabad Community Center Evanston
Questions? Call 312.714.4655 or email meir@jewishevanston.com.