Captivity survivor Maxim Herkinunderwent a circumcision ceremony following his release by Hamas. Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, blessed him and gave him the name Zalman‑Zelig in memory of his maternal grandfather.
At the same ceremony, he also put tefillin on him for the first time.
Herkin said, "Of all the places, it was in the Hamas tunnels that I discovered faith and trust in God. That faith instilled in me the strength to overcome the difficult days of captivity."
The event was held in the MTS event hall, the largest hall in Moscow, as part of the larger festivities surrounding the Hassidic celebration of 19 Kislev.