T
wo special families from
Israel recently spent 10
days in Metro Detroit
as guests of Rabbi Shneur and
Zeesy Silberberg and the Bais
Chabad of West Bloomfield
community.
Revital Shamir and Neora
Swid, whose husbands Moti
and Bchor were killed on Oct.
7, arrived with their children
to a warm welcome after a
difficult year of turmoil and
loss.
“There’s no one way to help
out, but there are so many
people who have suffered in
different ways, and so many
heroes who deserve to be
honored,
” Silberberg said.
“This is just one thing that
can be done. They deserve both
a vacation to be able to enjoy
a little bit, and certainly they
deserve to be recognized and
honored and know the entire
Jewish world is supportive
of them, loves them and
appreciates the sacrifice they’ve
made for the Jewish people, for
the Land of Israel,
” he added.
During the 10-day visit,
community members
sponsored trips and meals for
the families. Volunteers drove
them on trips to the Detroit
Zoo, nearby shopping centers,
horseback riding and lakefront
activities.
The families also took part
in a challah-bake called “Bread
of Bravery.
” Arranged by Zeesy
Silberberg and community
member as Laurenne
(Kaufman) Klinger, the event
drew 150 women who baked
challah together and heard
firsthand accounts from Shamir
and Swid of the events of Oct. 7.
Later in July, Chabad
partnered with Michigan ZOA
to host an “Honoring Our
Heroes” event in the men’s
memories, as well as that of
Ilay Zisser, brother of Jewish
Federation Shlicha Lior Zisser-
Yogev.
“They had so much to live
for. They chose to fight for the
protection of the Jewish people,
and we owe them the honor to
hear their stories, to share their
Welcome,
Israeli Friends!
OUR COMMUNITY
16 | AUGUST 8 • 2024
J
N
Bais Chabad welcomes two Israeli
women who lost their husbands
Oct. 7 to Metro Detroit for a
10-day vacation.
KAREN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Tamar Glazer brought some donuts to the airport to welcome the
families to the U.S.
Helene Weiss of West
Bloomfield embraces
Revital Shamir and gives
her flowers at Detroit
Metro Airport.
continued on page 18