A Shabbat of Resilience & Community

On Friday night, 125 people gathered at the Jewish Center for a meaningful Shabbat dinner, bringing together community members and participants from Strength to Strength for an evening of connection and reflection. Our guest speaker for the evening, Michael Benzakein, shared his personal story of surviving the Gush Etzion Junction attack on November 19, 2015. He spoke honestly about the impact that day had on his life and the strength it has taken to move forward in the years since. The room was completely silent as people listened, deeply moved not only by what he endured, but by the resilience and perspective he shared.

The evening was more than a Shabbat dinner; it was a reminder of the power of bringing survivors and community members together in one space. In hearing his story, we were reminded of the importance of standing with one another, creating space for difficult conversations, and strengthening the bonds that carry us forward. We are deeply grateful to the staff and the entire community for so warmly hosting us, and we look forward to continuing this partnership and gathering again in the future.