From Darkness to Light – Together for Elkana, Rivka and Raam

On October 7, on the morning our world collapsed, Elkana Bohbot was kidnapped. He is the partner and co-founder of the Mushroom community, and one of those who, throughout his life, worked behind the scenes with an open heart and boundless generosity to create for others moments of freedom, love and music. As the terror spread around him, Elkana made the brave decision to remain at the site of the Nova & Mushroom Festival and help festival goers escape and survive. He knew the risk and paid a heavy personal price. That day Elkana lost his two close partners, Osher and Michael Vaknin of blessed memory, and many other friends. Despite the loss and despite the pain, he did not lose his faith in goodness, in love and in the power of life itself. The hope of seeing Rivka, Re’em and the warm and loving family waiting for him at home, together with his deep faith in the Creator of the World, held him strong and gave him the power to endure. Elkana is a devoted family man, a loving husband and caring father who gives Rivka and Re’em stability, warmth and home. His exceptional kindness and generosity shine through in everything he does. He is the person who will always stand by anyone in need, extend a hand, give of himself wholeheartedly and do everything possible to make the lives of those around him brighter and lighter. He embodies deep humility, noble spirit, gentleness and compassion, sincere love of humanity and a true belief in the power of good. Around him there is always the sense of home, a place of love, listening and human warmth. Everyone who has met him knows Elkana is a giant heart that radiates in every direction, a man who has lived his life through giving, caring for others and a mission of love. For more than two years of cruel and unimaginable captivity, Elkana endured a relentless ordeal of suffering and humiliation. He was held the entire time in Hamas terror tunnels, cut off completely from daylight and all human contact, in inhumane and degrading conditions. For most of the time he was shackled in chains, denied free movement and any sense of control over his own life. Hunger, cold, loneliness, constant fear and physical and emotional humiliation were his daily reality, day after day, hour after hour. Throughout his captivity his captors allowed him to shower only once, an act that illustrates just how absolute the cruelty, control and psychological and physical terror were at every moment. The unimaginable cruelty of this reality left deep scars in both body and soul, not only physical marks of pain but also inner wounds of trauma, loneliness and fear that still accompany him now, after returning to Israel. And even there, in the depths of darkness, he never stopped loving. With his own hands he sewed a small teddy bear for Re’em, to leave a thin thread of hope tied to the world that was waiting for him outside. Now, after more than two years in captivity, Elkana has returned. But this return is only the first step in a long and difficult journey, one of healing, rehabilitation and rebuilding a life that was brutally cut short. Since his return he has been struggling with severe physical pain in his legs and lower back, a direct result of the cruel conditions in which he was held. At the same time, he carries a heavy psychological weight of trauma, painful memories and profound loss, an everyday struggle that requires immense strength and constant professional support and treatment. Throughout his captivity Elkana found strength in the hope he saw in his family’s struggle for him, in the rallies at Hostages Square and in the public fight for his return. That fight sustained his faith that one day he would come home. Why He Needs Us Now His release from captivity is only the beginning of the journey. Elkana needs us by his side to face the enormous challenges that lie ahead: • Medical and Psychological Rehabilitation – Two years in extreme conditions of physical and psychological abuse, isolation, and imprisonment in inhumane circumstances require long-term professional treatment for both body and mind. The body, weakened and damaged, must regain strength and relearn basic functions, while the soul, carrying deep trauma of fear, pain, and loneliness, needs a long and delicate healing journey to restore a sense of stability, peace, and inner security, and gradually rediscover the strength for a full and free life. • Rebuilding Home and Family – Captivity does not end only for the one who was held, but also for those who waited outside. The entire family must learn how to live together again, to rediscover one another, to mend what was broken, and to bring back the sense of home and love into everyday life. Professional support, emotional guidance, and a gradual process are essential to repair relationships and return to a stable and healthy routine. • A New Beginning in the World Awaiting Him – After more than two years of total isolation, the world outside also requires adaptation. Society has changed, life has moved forward, and returning to it demands a careful process of rebuilding: finding his place again within the community, gradually resuming work and meaningful activity, restoring a sense of capability and self-confidence, and reclaiming a sense of belonging. Continuous guidance throughout this journey is essential for a truly whole and free life. All this requires tremendous resources, and every contribution will bring Elkana one step closer to a full and free life. Together We Can Change the Story Elkana’s struggle is our collective struggle. He dedicated his life to creation, to music, to community and to the people around him, always with deep love, compassion and endless generosity, and he never asked for anything in return. His humility, pride and vast heart accompanied all his actions. He was always there for others, quietly, modestly and devotedly. Now, for the first time, he is the one who needs our help. Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh — all Israel are responsible for one another. Not just as a saying, but as a principle that guides us at the moments when our hearts are tested most. This mutual responsibility is not merely an expression of solidarity, it is a necessary and even critical condition for the long journey of healing and rebuilding that lies ahead. Right now, as Elkana takes his first steps back into life, he needs all of us with him: a supporting shoulder, an outstretched hand, an open heart. This is the moment when we come together and say in one voice: Elkana, you are not alone. We are all with you, every step and every breath along this journey. Donate Now - and be part of Elkana’s journey back to life 💛