A few months ago, the mother of Bar Kupershtein, who is held captive by Hamas, made a public appeal asking people to use her son’s tefillin (phylacteries) until his return.
Attorney Tzvika Graiver took on the task, receiving Bar's tefillin and setting up a stand in major cities, encouraging people to pray for the 101 hostages still held in Gaza. Graiver recently extended this initiative to Jewish communities across the U.S., where crowds have lined up to put on the tefillin and pray for the hostages’ safe return.
Graiver shared that his sister-in-law first saw a post written by Bar's mother. “This heroic mother wrote that she was looking for someone to take her son’s beloved tefillin and help others put them on until he returns from Gaza,” he recounted. “I wasn’t sure if I could take on such a heavy responsibility. But I messaged her, saying I love my own tefillin dearly, but I’d be honored to take Bar's tefillin, set up a stand, and encourage others to wear them. I thought it could inspire even more people to put on tefillin.”
Bar’s mother received many offers, but in the end, she entrusted Graiver with her son’s tefillin. “I set up a stand with a picture of Bar and tell people his story,” Graiver explained.
“Bar is a true Israeli hero. His story is heartbreaking. His father, who volunteered as an ambulance driver, was severely injured in an accident and became disabled. Bar had to help support the family, which is why he was at the Nova festival. He was working as a security guard. When the massacre began, he didn’t flee; instead, he stayed behind to tend to the wounded. There are many testimonies from people he helped. Sadly, while helping others, Bar was wounded and then abducted to Gaza.”
Graiver spoke about the responses from people who have used Bar's tefillin. “I tell each person about Bar, and they feel a deep connection, praying with intensity for his safe return,” he said. “People often ask me if I know him personally or if we’re related. I tell them no, and that his mother gave me his tefillin to help others pray for all the hostages.”
Graiver emphasized the broader purpose behind this initiative: “Bar’s mother wrote a sign for the stand, asking everyone to pray for the return of all the hostages, including Bar Avraham ben Julia. The goal is for people to pray for everyone’s return and to connect Jewish people to the mitzvah of tefillin. I believe that while the Israel Defense Forces are strong, the spiritual strength of tefillin has immense power to bring miracles and, God willing, return the hostages soon.”
More than 1,000 Jews have put on Bar's tefillin. Eventually, they even made their way overseas. “I had to travel over the summer for work and to visit my mother-in-law in Montreal,” Graiver explained. “I called Bar’s mother and asked if I should leave the tefillin behind. She said, ‘No, please take them with you and continue the work abroad.’ And that’s when Chabad communities really stepped in. Everywhere I went, people were eager to use Bar’s tefillin. The fact that they belonged to a hostage encouraged many Jews to put them on.”
The tefillin eventually reached the U.S. “When I arrived in Los Angeles, I spoke with Rabbi Rapoport and gave him the tefillin. All day long, people were coming to wear them,” Graiver recalled. “I think Bar’s tefillin have been through at least 12 different Chabad centers, moving from one place to another every day.”
The tefillin also made their way to the East Coast. “In Florida, they traveled through Miami and Boca, reaching many Chabad emissaries,” Graiver said. “I look at the calendar and can hardly believe that it’s been almost three months of Jews putting on Bar's tefillin and praying for his return. I believe this will help bring him and all the hostages back safe and sound.”
Graiver spoke of Bar’s mother with admiration. “She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met. Her faith is rock solid, and it gives her the strength and confidence that Bar will return soon. I keep her updated, sending her videos and pictures of people wearing Bar’s tefillin. Some of these videos show people praying with tears in their eyes.”
One of the most touching moments happened on the promenade in Bat Yam, where Graiver lives. “I think it was on the very first day I took Bar’s tefillin out. A young man came by, looked at the stand, and seemed hesitant. I asked if he wanted to put on tefillin, and he asked me about the stand after noticing Bar’s picture,” Graiver recalled.
“I told him Bar’s story, and he agreed to put them on. He wore them for half an hour, praying not from a prayer book but from his heart, speaking directly to God. It turned out he was a survivor from Nova. Tefillin wasn’t part of his life, but in that moment, through Bar, he felt a deep connection. It was incredibly moving.”