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