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The family said they had always believed he was alive and stressed that his disappearance was the result of a crisis, not a choice to abandon them.
By Shula Rosen
An Israeli man who vanished in Russia nearly three decades ago has been reunited with his family, thanks to the efforts of the Jewish community in Samara and its Shliach, Rabbi Shlomo Deitsch.
The story began in 1996, when Slava Kagan of Ofakim traveled to Samara to care for his ill father.
Soon after arriving, all communication with his wife and three young daughters in Israel ceased.
For years, the family searched through police inquiries, media appeals and television programs, but no information surfaced.
Relatives later learned that Kagan had lost his passport and the ability to return home, eventually slipping into homelessness.
His daughter Linoy recently discovered a social media post about a destitute man in Russia who claimed to be Israeli and gave his name as Slava.
After cross-checking details, she contacted the Samara Jewish community, which launched an investigation.
Rabbi Deitsch located the man, confirmed his identity and helped arrange his return. Kagan had been living on the streets for years, suffering what appeared to be a severe financial and emotional collapse. Without documents, he had no way to leave Russia or ask for help.
With formalities completed, he was flown back to Israel and embraced his daughters at the airport for the first time since their childhood. Some are now married with children of their own.
The family said they had always believed he was alive and stressed that his disappearance was the result of a crisis, not a choice to abandon them.
Rabbi Deitsch said Kagan’s health is stable but that he will need long-term emotional support.
Relatives expressed gratitude to the Samara community and to Rabbi Deitsch for making the long-awaited reunion possible.
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