After enduring 498 days of captivity under Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Russian-Israeli Alexander (“Sasha”) Troufanov embarked on his inaugural journey to the United States since his release.
His visit commenced with a stop at Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 31, where he was received and accompanied by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad World Headquarters and Rabbi Levi Lazar of Chabad Moscow.
Chabad leaders granted Troufanov access to the Rebbe’s private study within the iconic building at 770 Eastern Parkway.
Accompanied by fellow former hostage Sapir Cohen, also 29, Troufanov was invited to don tefillin—the sacred ritual he first experienced just hours after his release, when Rabbi Berel Lazar, the chief rabbi of Russia, visited him and helped him put them on for the very first time.
The 29-year-old proceeded to the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, which draws about 1 million visitors a year. There, he prayed for those still being held captive in the Gaza Strip and for the well-being of his brethren in Israel.
Reflecting on his harrowing ordeal, Troufanov had previously shared in a message broadcast at a Tel Aviv rally: “It’s important for me to speak out. Even though I was released not long ago, the thought of those still there never leaves me. Every hour, every minute, I can’t fully grasp that I’m free while many haven’t returned.”
Fifty-nine hostages are still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, some living and some confirmed dead.
