Meeting with Maksim Kharkin, a repatriate who spent 738 days in captivity in Gaza

On October 11, the Haifa Aliyah and Integration Administration’s project (Link) ✨FACES✨ invites you to a meeting with Maxim Kharkin, an oleh who endured 738 days in captivity in Gaza.

Exactly one year ago, on October 13, 2025, Maxim Kharkin returned to Israel in the last group of 20 live hostages released from captivity in Gaza, and now Maxim is telling his story himself.

REGISTRATION (free): Link

On October 7, 2023, Maxim came to the Nova festival and was kidnapped and taken to Gaza during the terrorist attack. His last message to his mother before the kidnapping was: “Mom, I love you💔.” What followed were 738 days in captivity—more than two years away from home, family, and a normal human life.

At the meeting, we will talk about what happened directly on October 7, life in captivity and the people who were there, what helped him survive and maintain hope, the moment when Maxim learned that he was going home, and another, less visible part of this story: how to return to freedom after 738 days in captivity and learn to live an ordinary life again.

This will be a live conversation without retellings or others’ interpretations. And, of course, participants will have the opportunity to ask Maxim questions.

📅 October 11
🕗 20:00
📍 20 Y. L. Peretz, Haifa

REGISTRATION (free): Link

Registration is mandatory; places are limited.
The meeting will be held in Russian.