How the Australian Jewish community has come together to welcome and support victims of October 7
When the unthinkable happened on October 7, the shockwaves reached far beyond Israel, resonating deeply within the Australian Jewish community. For over 400 days, our community has stood resolutely united in adversity with the People of Israel. Over the past week, this unity was on full display at a series of UIA events in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne as hundreds gathered for AGM’s, Report Back events, Women’s Division and Young UIA events to hear the stories of resilience, loss, and hope from those directly impacted by that day of extraordinary terror.
An update from Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, Chairperson of the Victims of Terror Fund
Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, Chairperson of the Victims of Terror Fund, shared how UIA’s substantial contribution to the fund has provided vital support to families affected. The fund offers victims a chance to rebuild their lives—whether through rehabilitation, re-education, or therapy of their choosing. Ayelet described how this choice restores dignity and control amid chaos.
Later in the evening, the fund's impact was brought to life when former hostage Liam Or shared that his father, inspired by the memory of Dvir Karp, a chocolatier murdered on their kibbutz, had used support from the fund to retrain as a chocolatier and revive Dvir’s chocolate business. Overcome with emotion, Ayelet embraced Liam, saying, “I didn’t know this part of your story. It is a privilege to know we have helped in this way.”
The unimaginable story of released hostage Liam Or
In each room that Liam Or told his story the entire audience was silent, completely captivated by what this young man, a 17 year old boy, had experienced when abducted by Hamas terrorists and held in Gaza’s tunnels for 54 days. On the morning of October 7, Liam tried to lock himself in his safe room, but the terrorists broke down the door. Liam was shot in the abdomen, the bullet miraculously passing through without hitting vital organs, and then dragged into Gaza where by 10:30 a.m. he was forced 70 meters underground. Liam was confined in a tiny sand-and-stone room alongside Omer Shem Tov and four Thai workers from his kibbutz all with their hands tied behind his back, leaving him with debilitating pain.
His untreated bullet wound also repeatedly became infected. He and Omer survived on three dates, a cup of water each morning, and half a dry pita at night, using rocks to count the days. In a moment that was hard to imagine for those of us who had watched the tragedy unfold from afar, Liam described how since he had seen one other person murdered in the kibbutz and Omer had seen 11 murdered - they believed that October 7 had caused the death of 12 people and the 6 of them being taken hostage. For 54 days he was sure that this was the worst disaster in Israel's history and that he was the first person to be taken hostage from his own home into Gaza.
When Liam was finally brought to the surface after a gruelling five-hour trek upwards through the tunnels and into a school, he was overwhelmed to discover that he was not alone - there were other hostages who were also about to be freed. He described a surreal moment where he performed a magic trick for 50 Hamas terrorists gathered to watch. When Liam delivered his usual performance spiel of “check that I haven’t placed your card in your pocket.” The lead terrorist reached into his pocket and pulled out a grenade. Although that was already a moment Liam would never forget, he later tattooed the Jack of Spades—the card chosen by the lead terrorist—onto his forearm as a reminder that through this unimaginable ordeal, he managed to hold onto his humanity and more importantly his inner magic. Though Omer remains captive, Liam holds unwavering belief in his eventual release.
Speaking to the audience, Liam expressed astonishment at the global Jewish community’s relentless support. “I had no idea how much you cared,” he said. “I now feel like I have family not just in Israel, but here in Australia too.”
Sharing hope and light amidst the trauma of loss - Tom and Amir Ken-Dror
After Liam’s captivating story of unimaginable horror, it was Tom and Amir Ken-Dror’s turn to share their own devastating loss. Tom described her brother Jonathan, known as Joni, as a free spirit full of light and laughter. A video of Joni, dancing and smiling, captured his vibrant neshama (soul). But joy turned to heartbreak when Amir recounted the six harrowing days their family spent searching for Joni and his girlfriend Yael, who had been at the Nova Festival. Yael’s body was identified two days later, but only on the sixth day did the dreaded knock come confirming Joni’s death.
Amir shared how Joni’s last moments were captured in Yael’s phone call to Magen David Adom. The recording, which included Joni’s final breaths, brought both agony and solace, as it confirmed his death was swift and he had been spared from further atrocities. This heartbreaking relief underscored the unimaginable horrors of that day.
Tom, six months pregnant at the time, feared she might lose her parents to the depths of their grief but shortly before she gave birth her mother gathered the family and said “we have two options, we can be walking dead the rest of our lives or we can live with this pain and grief.” The family chose life and she said that after that choice “life began to grow around their grief.”
When Tom gave birth to her second son just months later, she named him Lior Jonathan in honour of her brother. She shared how when Lior Jonathan was about to be born her mother took off her mourning clothes and put on the pinkest sweater she could find declaring “we will accept this baby with love” which is what she did. The family hosted Lior Jonathan’s bris exactly three months after October 7, a powerful symbol of life continuing alongside death.
Tom described how healing her trip to Australia has been. Despite her family’s resolve, she had struggled to find hope—her tikvah—until being embraced by the Australian Jewish community. “I hadn’t sung Hatikvah since October 7,” she admitted, “but here, surrounded by all of you, I found it again.” The evening concluded with a stirring rendition of Hatikvah, with Tom singing every word, her love for her brother, her family, and Am Yisrael palpable in every note.
We are united in adversity with our brothers and sisters in Israel
As Peter Horowitz, UIA Victoria CEO, said, “We are a people united by a land, a land united by its people. We will always and forever stand united in adversity with our Israeli brothers and sisters.” Through the resilience of Liam, Tom, and Amir, the profound connection between Israel and the diaspora shone brightly. As 2024 draws to a close, the Australian Jewish community stands prouder, louder, and more united than ever. For we are Am Yisrael. United in adversity.
Learn more about the UIA supported The Fund for the Victims of Terror.