Two years ago, Einav Zangauker stood at the Ohel, the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Queens, praying for her son’s safe return from Hamas captivity. Today, her son Matan Zangauker stood in that same spot, free, reciting prayers of thanks.

He and fellow survivor Ilana Gritzewsky were welcomed by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky on behalf of Chabad World Headquarters and Rabbi Shneur Zalman Naftalin, who coordinated the visit and accompanied them throughout their time at the Ohel.

Matan and Ilana were kidnapped together on October 7, 2023. Ilana was released 55 days later, on November 30, as part of the first temporary ceasefire and hostage deal. In the nearly two years that followed, she became a tireless advocate for Matan’s release, including visiting the Ohel to pray for him during his captivity.

Today, they returned.

Together, they recited the Mizmor L’Sodah, the Psalm of thanksgiving, and the HaGomel Beracha gratitude blessing, thanking G-d for their survival and praying for the remaining hostages and the Jewish people.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who prayed, helped, and supported,” said Matan. “I believe those prayers opened the gates of Heaven and are the reason why I’m here today. It’s not understood otherwise.”

Their visit to the most visited Jewish sacred site outside Israel is part of a growing wave of former hostages making their way to the Ohel, where, once, others came to pray for them. Now, they come back in gratitude.