Finding Light in the Tunnel

This week, our students had the profound privilege of hearing from Omer Shem Tov, a released hostage who endured over 500 days in captivity. Omer shared his harrowing account of the events of October 7th, including the extraordinary bravery and selflessness of Ori Danino, who returned from safety to save his life. For many of our students, this moment was especially meaningful, as they had previously heard Ori’s story through the perspective of his mother during her visit to Chaviva. Hearing it now, firsthand, brought a deeper and more personal understanding.

He spoke openly about the pain, suffering, and helplessness he experienced, while also revealing the remarkable inner strength that allowed him to shift his mindset toward hope and positivity. Students were especially moved by his unwavering commitment to his relationship with Hashem. Each day began with expressing gratitude to Hashem with Modeh Ani, and ended with a “check-in” with Hashem, anchoring him even in the darkest moments.

Omer also described the tremendous sacrifices he made to access Torah during his captivity. In one particularly powerful moment, he was able to learn about Yosef’s imprisonment and eventual rise to leadership in Egypt. This parallel became a profound source of strength, deepening his perspective and reinforcing his trust in Hashem’s plan. His message of emunah, resilience, and pride in being part of the Jewish people left our students deeply moved. So much so that when the program ended, they asked for time to come together as a school to reflect and discuss what they had heard. We hope that Omer’s courage, faith, and sacrifice continue to serve as a source of inspiration and a merit for our entire community.