Former hostage Keith Siegel has opened up about the profound change in his connection to Yiddishkeit during his 484 days in captivity, describing how simple tefillos and brachos became a source of strength under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Siegel, who grew up with little personal connection to religious observance, has said that during captivity he began reciting Shema and making brachos over his food. He described drawing strength from thinking about generations of Yidden who maintained their identity through periods of suffering.

That connection became especially meaningful when his captors attempted to persuade him to embrace Islam. Rather than weakening his Jewish identity, Siegel said the experience reinforced his sense of belonging to the Jewish people.

His return to Jewish practice continued after his release. Earlier accounts described how, when asked what he wanted for his first Shabbos meal back with his family, Siegel requested a kippah and a Kiddush cup.

Siegel's experience offers another remarkable account of a Jew reaching for Shema, tefillah and Jewish identity under conditions in which virtually everything familiar had been taken away.