Agam Berger, a 19-year-old Israeli woman, was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Six months ago today.
As a father, it’s difficult to imagine having a child held hostage and dealing day in and day out with fear of the unknown and the anguish of the emptiness.
The Tampa Free Press sat down with Shlomi Berger, the father of 19-year-old Agam Berger, to learn about Agam and to gain perspective from Shlomi, a loving father who just wants his daughter to come home.
Shlomi Berger
Shlomi described Agam as a 19-year-old teenager who likes to play the violin, volunteer with special needs children, and spend time with friends.
“She’s a teenager, a college girl. Okay. In Israel, we must go to the IDF at this age. Because this is Israel, you must bring (do) your part to the country. And we do it in love because we understand that it’s important. When she finished high school, she went for one year. It’s something that you prepare for, with the IDF, but it’s really preparing you for life,” said Shlomi.
“She volunteers with kids with special needs and kids that, after they come from school, don’t have a place to eat or a warm meal or someone to help with their homework, and she volunteers with kids like that with a big love. She’s a justice fighter,” said Shlomi.
“Agam, I told her she should be a lawyer, but you know she’s the justice,” Shlomi said with a smile.
“She’s a very lovely girl. She loves to play the violin and likes to travel with her friends and go to the beach. You know, she’s a teenager,” said Shlomi.
Agam Berger
Shlomi’s wife, Meirav Berger, the mother of Agam Berger, penned an op-ed with the National Post pleading, “The last I heard from the brave hostages who returned from the depths of the Gaza underground, she was in a dark, damp tunnel. They told me she, too, might be a victim of sexual violence.”
“Bring her and all the hostages home, now. Let’s not allow the evil to take over the good. Let’s not allow indifference to muffle our cries for our daughters. Let’s not let another minute go by, without all of them home, where they belong,” wrote Meirav.
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