Darkness to Light: Omer Wenkert's Story
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
7:00 PM
placeLong Island

JOIN US FOR A POWERFUL EVENING 
 
Omer Wenkert survived the October 7 Nova music festival attack and endured 505 days as a hostage in Gaza. Now, on his first trip to the United States, Omer will share his extraordinary story of survival, hope, and resilience.

He’ll be in conversation with Dana Arschin, UJA’s Witness Project facilitator and Emmy Award-winning journalist, for an intimate discussion about keeping hope alive through unimaginable darkness and rebuilding life after his release.

This is a rare opportunity to hear Omer’s story, honor his courage, and stand united against hate and terror.

You'll also learn about UJA's Witness Project, which preserves the stories of Holocaust survivors, and hear how the students who take part in it have stood up against antisemitism in their communities, on college campuses, and beyond. 

Guest Speaker

Omer Wenkert

On October 7, Omer Wenkert was abducted from the Nova music festival. He was held hostage in Gaza for 505 days, including 197 in isolation. His family learned of his abduction through a chilling video showing him handcuffed in a pickup truck. Freed on February 22, 2025, Omer became a champion of those who were still being held hostage and now shares his story worldwide. 

Leadership

Witness Project Chairs

Hayley & Coby Rejwan 
Sandra & Scott Weingarten 

Ilana & Matt Engel 
Allie & Jon Pritti   

Kimberley & Daniel Steinberg 
Jacqueline & Daniel Wachsman

Scott Jaffee 
Todd Richman

Andrew Belfer, Karen Belfer, Brittany Ben Josef, Ronen Ben Josef , Caryn Beyer, Michael Beyer, Lisa Bloomstein, Matilde Broder, Debra Buslik, Evan Cagner, Michele Cagner, Barbara Cooper, Steven Cooper, Ilana Engel, Matthew Engel, Julianna Feigenbaum, Alexandra Fingerman, Joseph Fingerman, Meryl Gassman, Marilyn Gessin, Alan Gordon, Emily Gordon,  Ellen Grossman, Nathan Halegua, Pearl Halegua, Amy Jaffee, Scott Jaffee, Julie Kalimian, Morry Kalimian, Michael Kessler, Ronnit Kessler, Arnon Klein, Beth Klein, Benjamin Kozinn, Julie Kozinn, Barbara Levine, David Levine, David Levy, Rita Levy, Barbara Meltzer, Coby Rejwan, Hayley Rejwan, Craig Schioppo, Renni Schioppo, Elizabeth Seiden, Hania Shatzer, Matthew Shatzer, Denise Silverberg, Baron Silverstein, Mara Silverstein, Arlene Sirlin, Chris Smith, Shari Smith, Daniel Steinberg, Kimberley Steinberg, Alissa Sukoff, David Sukoff, Jason Tuerack, Daniel Wachsman, Jacqueline Wachsman, Harry Wagner, Myra Wagner, Laura Wein, Beth Weingarten, Jeffrey Weingarten, Sandra Weingarten, Scott Weingarten, Edith Weisfeld, Pami Wexelman, Erika Witover, Frank Zuckerbrot, Rachel Zuckerbrot

Judy Berg, Lisa Bloomstein, Aaron Chaitovsky, Larry Charney, Samantha Claster, Ofer Cohen, Jeremy Eisenstein, Matt Engel, Ethan Falkove, Michele Lee Fine, Joseph Fingerman, Julie Gray, Jeffrey Greenfield, Adam Haber, Nancy Hoffman, David Kalish, Arthur Katz, Dayle Katz, Howard Kaufman, Robin Kaufman, Michael Kessler, Jill Manczyk, Stuart Mordfin, Richard L. Morse, Mindy Nelkin, Craig Padover, Howard Rubin, Eric Schuss, Geri Silverman, Mara Silverstein, Michael Slade, Beth Steinberg, Daniel Steinberg, Dr. Jay Steinberg, Bram Weber, Craig Weinstein, Pami Wexelman, Diane Wohl

Hayley & Coby Rejwan 
Sandra & Scott Weingarten 

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Sherri Candel

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