Former Hamas hostage Alexander (“Sasha”) Troufanov was seen dancing on Sunday at the closing gala of the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries (Kinus Hashluchim), a multi-day gathering of rabbis and guests held in New York City. The program, most of which takes place in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., serves as a way to inspire and consult with other rabbis who serve Jewish communities around the world.
Troufanov could be seen in the company of Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, who had worked to help free him and other hostages. Troufanov has dual Israeli and Russian citizenship.
✡️ — Belaaz Video: Former hostage Alexander 'Sasha' Troufanov dancing at the Kinus Hashluchim with Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar who helped a lot to secure his release through the Kremlin. pic.twitter.com/fO2dhITCSM
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) November 16, 2025
More than 6,500 people attended the closing gala banquet of the conference on Sunday night, according to Chabad.org.
That annual event is the largest kosher sit-down meal in the world.
Troufanov, 29, was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza on Feb. 15, together with Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, and Yair Horn, 46. All three men were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-led invasion of Israel’s northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023.
Palestinian terrorists held them for 498 days in the Gaza Strip.
After his release, Lazar gave Troufanov a tefillin set and a chumash—a copy of the Torah in book form—the Charedim 10 news site reported. In a video conversation on Feb. 16, Troufanov thanked Lazar for working to free him and other hostages.
“I truly appreciate everything you have done. You are wonderful people, you have a huge heart and strong faith. Thank you for all the support and encouragement for my mother during this difficult time. I would love to meet you as soon as possible. In the meantime, I continue to hear about everything you have done,” the former hostage told Lazar, who is a Chabad-Lubavitch rabbi.
