Full Breakdown
Former Gaza Hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel Navigate Yom Kippur After Release
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
Yom Kippur, Judaism’s Day of Atonement, involves a 25-hour fast and self-examination. Keith and Aviva Siegel were abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7 and held in Gaza—Aviva for 51 days, Keith for 484 days. Their community lost at least 60 members. This year they can observe the High Holy Days with their families, shifting from enforced deprivation to voluntary choice.
Core Event: Observing Yom Kippur Post-Captivity
The Siegel family gathered for Yom Kippur weeks after their release. Aviva announced she will not fast, saying the starvation she endured was punishment enough. Keith agreed, stressing that fasting and starvation are distinct. Both emphasized *heshbon nefesh*—taking stock of the soul—as the holiday’s core purpose, even without abstaining from food.
Data & Statistics
- Kidnapping date: October 7.
- Aviva’s captivity: 51 days.
- Keith’s captivity: 484 days.
- Community loss: >= 60 individuals.
- Public appearance: Dec 28 2023, march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
- July 8 2025: attended a Knesset Security Affairs meeting.
Official Statements & Responses
Aviva described her new relationship with Yom Kippur as “completely, utterly new,” noting the holiday now serves as a platform for questioning and growth rather than self-punishment. Keith framed it as a time for reflection, saying his faith deepened while he prayed during captivity. Both now volunteer with 255, supporting former Gaza hostages and their families, viewing advocacy as *tikkun olam* (repairing the world).
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think that being deprived of the decisions of how much to eat, when to eat, how to eat, and who to eat with – was a big, huge issue in Gaza,” — Aviva Siegel
- “Fasting and starvation are two completely different things for me,” — Keith Siegel
- “The core essence or significance of Yom Kippur is not the fasting. It’s the heshbon nefesh (taking stock of the soul),” — Keith Siegel
- “I want the world to understand that we are still trying to pick ourselves up. We’re still carrying a very difficult story,” — Aviva Siegel
Impact and Ongoing Advocacy
The Siegels use their visibility to keep the plight of remaining hostages in public discourse. Through 255 they give talks, grant interviews, and conduct community outreach, describing the work as a moral duty and an extension of Yom Kippur’s call to ask questions and seek answers.
What's Next
The Siegels will continue advocacy with 255, supporting rehabilitation programs for former hostages and families. Their appearances, such as the July 8 2025 Knesset meeting, indicate an ongoing role in shaping Israel’s response to hostage crises and fostering communal healing.