Freed prisoner Alan Gross loves Judaism

Alan Gross was freed from a Cuban prison on Wednesday following five years of brutal captivity -- a prisoner exchange deal between Cuba and the United States resulted in his release -- and on Wednesday, among his first order of business was wishing America \"Chag Sameach.”\nThe appearance, the freed Cuban prisoner’s first press conference since his arrival back home on Wednesday, included numerous Jewish references as Gross stood before reporters, and his wife, Judy, stood at his side. He was missing several teeth.\n\n

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Ryan Torok

December 17, 2014

Alan Gross was freed from a Cuban prison on Wednesday after five years, much of that time in isolation. His release was part of a prisoner exchange deal between Cuba and the United States that President Barack Obama announced marks the start of improved relations between the two longtime enemy countries. Gross' first public statement was to say to America, “Chag Sameach,” as he began a televised press conference from his attorney's Washington, D.C. offices on the first day of Chanukah.

Gross, 65, included numerous Jewish references in his speech to reporters. His wife, Judy, who had worked tirelessly for his release, stood at his side. Gross was missing several teeth.

He referred to his attorney, Scott Gilbert, who reportedly helped procure his freedom, as his “personal Moses” and he gave a shout-out to his “Shabbat group” as he thanked everybody who has helped him during his captivity.

Gross traveled to Cuba in 2009 while working as a subcontractor for the United States Agency for International Development. His assignment was to set up uncensored, albeit illegal, internet connections for Cuban Jews. He was arrested nine days into his trip and charged with espionage.