More witnesses talk on LI

Israelis who experienced the Oct. 7 attacks joined members of several Nassau synagogues at Congregation Ohav Shalom, discussing their experiences and how American Jews can help communities in Israel.

“Are Israel and its citizens all by themselves in the world?” Rabbi Ira Ebbin asked. “There’s one thing that I’m absolutely certain about — the answer to the question is unequivocally no..”

Shani Goren and Omar Vehab, residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, recounted what happened to them when terrorists stormed into their community near the Gaza border. Hamas killed, injured or took captive about one-quarter of its residents.

Goren, who addressed the crowd in Hebrew through a translator, was kidnapped. She spent 55 days as a hostage in Gaza.

—Jordan Vallone, LI Herald