Community to Honor Israeli Heroes of October 7 at Livingston Event
LIVINGSTON, N.J., July 12, 2024 — Community members will unite in solidarity with the people of Israel on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 7:30 pm in Livingston to honor several Israeli heroes who defended the Jewish Homeland and its people during one of its darkest days.
The Honoring Israeli Heroes event, hosted by Jewish National Fund-USA at the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center (SSTC), will feature decorated Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier Yedidya Harush, Jewish National Fund-USA’s Halutza Liaison, Negev Community Development, who works with the organization to support regional development in southern Israeli communities.
On October 7, Harush’s world was turned upside down when he and his friends jumped into action to protect neighboring communities under attack by Hamas. They fought off terrorists on foot, saving hundreds of lives, yet tragically lost four of their closest friends. Despite the unthinkable tragedy, Harush, an IDF reservist who recently fought on the frontlines in Gaza, emphasizes that even though residents went through the unimaginable and were evacuated from their communities, they are determined to rebuild and return stronger than ever.
The event will also feature Dana Cohen, an October 7 widow whose husband heroically died defending several Israeli communities on the border with Gaza. Cohen, a mother of six, has endured countless rounds of “conflicts” since moving to the Eshkol region in southern Israel 18 years ago. However, she admits she had never experienced anything like the morning of the “Black Shabbat” on October 7. On that infamous day, Cohen’s husband, Aviad, helped her calm their frightened children, parted from his wife with a hug, and left to defend the neighboring community of Pri-Gan, but never returned home to his family.
“My heart has been shattered into a million pieces,” said Cohen. “But at the same time, it’s filled with pride for this man who was so full of life, so full of generosity. This man who I loved for 18 wonderful years.”
Attendees will also learn about current efforts underway to rebuild the southern Israeli communities that were destroyed by Hamas and how community members in Central New Jersey are supporting these efforts.
For more information, contact Celine Leeds, Jewish National Fund-USA Executive Director, Central New Jersey, at 973.593.0095 x820 or email CLeeds@jnf.org.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Milton
About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education. As a leading philanthropic movement, the organization supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south as it develops new communities in the Negev and Galilee, connects the next generation to Israel, and creates infrastructure and programs that support ecology, people with disabilities, and heritage site preservation, all while running a fully accredited study abroad experience through its Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Learn more at jnf.org.