Agam Berger, a female soldier serving as an IDF surveillance officer, was abducted from the Nachal Oz outpost on October 7, 2023 (22nd of Tishrei, 5784), on Simchat Torah, just two days after arriving at the post.

Agam enlisted in the IDF after a year of studying at the "Gal" pre-military academy in Acre, under the "After Me" program. She has been playing the violin since the age of 8 and studied in the music program at the Kiryat Sharet campus in Holon. Agam has three siblings: a twin sister named Lee Yam, an 18-year-old sister named Bar, and a 13-year-old brother named Ilai, who celebrated his Bar Mitzvah while Agam was in captivity.

During the last Passover cleaning, a note was found in Agam's room where she wrote, "I wish I could play more and change something important." Agam sees herself from a young age as having a mission in the world.

During her course, Agam was initially assigned to the Kerem Shalom outpost, but a week before completing the course, her assignment was changed to the Nachal Oz outpost. Two days before she was abducted, Agam's mother told her, "The place where you are is your destiny."

During the surveillance officers course, Agam was selected as a platoon sergeant and for the "Stars Track" which identifies candidates for command and officer roles. When asked to explain why she deserved to stay in the track, Agam wrote that she sees the role as a mission and wants to give soldiers a sense of faith and security.

Agam was kidnapped from the shelter while in her pajamas. She made contact using the phone of a friend who was murdered next to her. The first call was at 06:37 and lasted one minute, the second call was at 06:42 and lasted two minutes, and the third call was at 07:42 and lasted 19 seconds. Since then, there has been no contact. In her last call, Agam reported hearing gunfire, terrorists, everyone crying, and that she was not afraid.

At the age of 16, Agam created a vision board where she wrote, "My life story is one of faith." At the age of 19 and two months, she received a gift, a diary called "Across the Skies," in which she wrote that she wishes for "unconditional love." The screensaver on Agam's phone was "I chose the path of faith." Agam loves the sea, hiking in nature, and photography. She is a child of gratitude, giving, and consideration for others.

On Agam's birthday, we will ask to be the lanterns that light the way home for Agam and all the captives. It is within our power to make God's first command a reality. In Genesis, it is written, "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." It depends on us to light the way home for Agam and all the captives. Come and take part in Agam's journey, her mission, and her calling in the world.

We await her return to bring light back into our lives.

Mom, Dad, Lee Yam, Bar, and Ilai

"Do not confine me in any cage, neither physical nor spiritual..."
Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook,
Found in Agam's diary.