Still Life in Israel with Jessica Steinberg: Keith and Aviva Siegel on how they kept calm in Gaza

In a new podcast episode, former hostages Aviva and Keith Siegel discuss their captivity, their differing desires to return to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Aviva's book 'Survived to Tell.' The article promotes the book and a subscription to The Times of Israel.

In the first episode of a new weekly podcast series, 'Still Life in Israel with Jessica Steinberg,' The Times of Israel's culture editor speaks with former hostages Aviva and Keith Siegel. Aviva Siegel was freed after 51 days in captivity and immediately began advocating for her husband, Keith, who remained a hostage for 484 days until his release in February 2025. The couple discusses their decision to move to Kibbutz Kfar Aza 40 years ago and the hours before October 7, 2023, when they went food shopping after a holiday evening with family. They talk about Keith's desire to return to their home and Aviva's inability to do the same. The Siegels emphasize the need to tell the truth about their captivity, including a play about them performed at Habima National Theater and Aviva's book, 'Survived to Tell: A Hostage's True Story of October 7 and 51 Days in Captivity,' recently translated into English. The article includes a purchase link for the book and a subscription pitch for The Times of Israel.