08/31/2026
Yesterday, we had the honor of hosting a true hero.
Ori Hukima, a Reserve Major in the IDF, was the commander of Itay - a lone soldier and member of our community who found himself on the front lines on October 7th.
On Oct. 7th, Ori fought like a lion, putting his own life at risk to protect his soldiers and Am Yisrael. In the fierce battle to defend and reclaim Israel’s borders, he lost eight soldiers from his unit.
Here in Closter, we remember sitting in terror, waiting and praying to hear that Itay was safe and alive, hours passing before any contact was made with him.
Yesterday, Ori brought us back to that day, the bravery, the loss, the pain, and the unimaginable strength.
Hearing him speak was deeply humbling. What a privilege it is to belong to a nation with heroes like Ori, people willing to put their life on the line to protect our brothers and sisters.
Ori, thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, and everything you have done for Am Yisrael. May the rest of your life be filled only with peace, happiness, and joy. 🩵
