10/08/2026
We were moved by the incredible turnout for last night's October 7th commemorative event at the Jewish Community Alliance with Kibbutz Nir Oz survivor, Barak Morag.
We followed Barak along on his emotional journey of how he, his wife, and two young children had their lives changed forever on the morning of October 7th, 2023. At times, we gasped in horror. We sat in devastated silence.
Then, all together, we felt immense hope. We smiled, and with the help of Barak's humor, we laughed. Barak and his family found their way through the darkness not only through the support of his fellow Israelis, but from individuals and organizations around the world who became a beacon of light.
Through the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), that support reached Barak and his family in a meaningful way. From Hug for Hope to HaGal Sheli (My Wave), they received programming that helped them find a sense of emotional comfort and stability after this unfathomable tragedy.
Today, Jewish Federations continue to fund therapy for October 7 survivors and help lead Israel's recovery through Rebuild Israel - a framework to support recovery and help Israeli society flourish after October 7 and two years of war. To date, Jewish Federations have committed approximately $1 billion toward these recovery efforts.
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday evening, and above all, thank you, Barak, for your time and courage in bringing your story to our Northeast Florida Jewish community. Your story reminds us of the power of support, resilience, and community - and of our responsibility to be there for one another as we rebuild.
Am Yisrael Chai! 🇮🇱
