HOPE IS MANDATORY

We can never imagine the conditions of captivity, and yet, Sagui Dekel-Chen can. He was released after 498 days, and he has dedicated himself to fighting for the remaining hostages. While we an’t imagine their plight Sagui has been in their shoes, and he urges the remaining captives to “wipe off your tears and sing with me,” in his rendition of the song “Keren Shemesh” (Ray of Sunshine).

“Don’t go, ray of sunshine, our day isn’t over yet,” he sang, covering a 2022 hit by Benaia Berabi. “Smile, it suits you — it makes my day.”

“My sun was taken from me for 498 days, but I decided not to give in [and] spoke to the sun every day,” Dekel-Chen said in the video, published just 13 days after he returned to Israel as part of the ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas. “I ask everyone who hears me — don’t lose hope. Trust me,

Sagui called upon the remaining hostages - and everyone listening to his song - to not lose hope.

• What does Sagui Dekel-Chen’s performance show you about what hope can look like?
• Have you ever tried to hold on to hope when you didn’t fully feel it? What helped, or didn’t help?
• Dekel-Chen talks about finding a corner and singing to himself while in captivity, and how music helped him hold on to hope. What are the songs, prayers, or phrases that help you maintain hope?

To see more videos from the Tamari Project click here or scan the QR code.