NOVEMBER 21 • 2024 | 37
J
N

O

n Oct. 7, 2024, Jewish 
communities across 
the world observed the 
anniversary of the tragic terrorist 
attack on Israel. In a show of 
solidarity and remembrance, Hillel 
of Metro Detroit, in collaboration 
with the Oakland University Office 
of Student Involvement, the Center 
for Civic Engagement and the Cis 
Maisel Center for Judaic Studies 
and Community Engagement, 
hosted a screening of the 60-minute 
documentary Screams Before Silence 
and honored the memory of the 
victims of Oct. 7, 2023.
This non-political event was 
designed not only as a commem-
oration but also as an educational 
opportunity for students and the 
greater community to confront the 
harsh realities of sexual violence 
that occurred during the attack on 
Oct. 7, 2023, at the Nova Music 
Festival. 
This documentary by Sheryl 
Sandberg, former COO of Meta, 
reveals the personal stories of sur-
vivors and first responders on the 
horrific sexual violence perpetrated 
during the attack. 
Despite the indisputable evi-
dence, these atrocities have received 
little scrutiny from human rights 

groups and international organiza-
tions. 

The event was held in the Habitat 
at the Oakland Center at Oakland 
University. As the lights went down 
and the film started, the mood in 
the room changed dramatically 
as the audience’s stunned expres-
sions showed the documentary’s 
intensity. A few people left halfway 
through, unable to handle the emo-
tional impact of the film. 
Attendance at the screening 
included Oakland University 
President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, 
David Dulio, director of the Center 
for Civic Engagement, and other 
senior Oakland University leaders. 
Students who needed support 
while engaging with the film’s 
content were provided with 
resources. Representatives from the 
Oakland University Department 
of Counseling and a social worker 
from Hillel of Metro Detroit were 
present to assist those students, 
creating a safe space for attendees 
to express their feelings.
The 60-minute film is available 
for viewing at screamsbeforesilence.
org. @

Brittany Begun is associate director of 
Hillel of Metro Detroit.

Brittany Begun } jewish@edu writer

A Powerful Film

At Oakland University, students gather 
for screening of Screams Before Silence
documentary. 

for college students 
by college students

A screenshot from 
Screams Before Silence

WHATEVER IS
NEXT

gvsu.edu/next

For Grand Valley students, next is opportunity and 
innovation. Next is global, connecting and uniting us. 
It’s local, shaping the spaces in which we work and live. 
It’s a commitment to progress. Next is where minds are 
free to imagine what could be. At GVSU, next is now. 
And whatever’s next for you, we will help you get there. 

