Freed Hostage Maxim Herkin Thanks the Rebbe for the Miracles

Maxim Herkin, a survivor of 738 days in Hamas captivity, traveled to New York to thank the Rebbe for his miraculous return.

In a journey that evolved from the darkest tunnels of Gaza to the holy sites of New York, released hostage Maxim Herkin (Zalman Zelig) arrived in Crown Heights to offer thanks for his miraculous survival and release.

Maxim, a computer science student and IDF army officer, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7th. For 738 days, he was held in the shadow of death, relying on his faith to stay strong.

Just before he was captured, Maxim threw his phone and IDF officer’s ID in a drainage ditch. He did this in a moment of quick thinking so that his abductors would not discover his military status which would have put him in even greater danger. While hiding in the ditch with others at the Nova music festival, Maxim also managed to send a final message to his mother saying, “Mom, I love you.”

While Maxim was underground, his mother kept a low profile in order to preserve his identity.

Even when she didn’t hear from him, Tala felt in her heart that Maxim was alive. Tala prayed fervently for his return and was confident she would see him again. Tala never stopped strengthening her relationship with G-d, praying at the Cave of Eliyahu Hanavi and participating in hafrashas challah events in Tirat.

The turning point for the family’s hope came when Tala was gifted a Rebbe Dollar from a donor in New York – by Shlucha, Chavi Markovitch. The dollar was presented at a Gimmel Tamuz event.

Thus began Tala’s connection with Chabad and a special bond between Tala and the shluchim in Tirat.

When Tala noticed the bill was dated the same year Maxim was born, her conviction was confirmed. “I’m coming back to the Rebbe with Maxim,” she told family and friends. It wasn’t a hope. It was a promise.

Following his miraculous rescue, Maxim made it his mission to fulfill his mother’s vow. Accompanied by his mother Tala, Peter, his 13 year old brother, Rabbi Mendy Garbarchik as well as Motti Shitrit – a family friend, Maxim visited the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens, the Rebbe’s home and 770 Eastern Parkway.

Describing his time at the Ohel, Maxim spoke of a deep spiritual connection. He called his time at the Ohel a “meeting of the four eyes” expressing his feeling like it was only him and the Rebbe in this holy space.

In Maxim’s own words: “I received a sense of incredible calm that is difficult to describe. Wow. It was simply amazing. I am certain that I will go back to the Rebbe again. It is not possible to describe in words. It was an unbelievable experience. It gave me a lot of strength. It was unforgettable and not a regular experience.

I wish for every person who wishes to go, should do so. It is worth going. One receives a lot of answers there.”

During a recent trip to Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar welcomed Maxim at a grand Yud Tes Kislev ceremony attended by thousands of people.

At the ceremony, Maxim expressed his gratitude to G-d by having a bris. He chose the name Zalman Zelig after his maternal grandfathers. As his beautiful name echoed through the hall, the crowd responded with great emotion. Many cried openly.

Maxim spoke, expressing his gratitude to G-d for the miracles he experienced. He recounted how he held onto his faith during the entire horrifying ordeal.

“Of all places it was in the Hamas tunnels that I discovered faith and trust in G-d. That faith instilled in me the strength to overcome the difficult days of captivity.”

On the day of Maxim’s bris, Tala uncovered unbelievable Divine Providence. Tala realized that the date of the bris was exactly a year from December 9 – the date she was praying at the Ohel for Maxim’s release.

Today, the “anchor” of the Herkin family is back home. Standing recently at Hostage Square in Israel, Maxim expressed his gratitude to the millions who had him in mind.

“You brought me home and not just me, all of us,” he said. “If I could physically hug all 8 million of you, I would do it. I owe you my life.”

After his release from the hospital, Ohad Ben Ami, who was with Maxim in the tunnels, asked him to say a few words to the camera.

Maxim said: “Am Yisroel Chai. There is nothing like the Jewish people. There never was and there never will be. That’s our strength.

Tala was overjoyed to take Maxim back to all the holy places she visited while he was in captivity – 770, the Rebbe’s home and the Ohel. Their second visit marked the close of a miraculous circle in which they felt the Rebbe’s brochos and guidance every step of the way.

To hear Maxim speak of his captivity and release, faith and perseverance, please contact Chanie Kozliner. [email protected]