10 October 2024
StandWithUs UK commemorates 7/10 anniversary with inspirational 'Stories of Resilience' tour
StandWithUs UK proudly conducted a transformative week-long tour titled "Stories of Resilience" to mark the poignant first anniversary of 7/10. This exceptional event brought together survivors, soldiers, and first responders who courageously shared their powerful narratives of survival and heroism from and since the tragic massacre with over 2,500 students, young professionals and the wider community.
Embodying the spirit of ‘Zikaron B’Salon’, delegates spoke each evening at the homes of community members. These intimate gatherings saw living rooms filled to the brim, as individuals eager to honour the profound stories of resilience and pay homage to lives tragically lost on and since 7/10 gathered with reverence and solidarity.
Omer, Lorin, Aviv, and Ariel led the tour; Omer and Ariel spoke about their experiences surviving the Nova Festival and Zikkim Beach Massacre, Aviv fought in the Kibbutzim and later in Gaza, and Lorin shared her stories of treating wounded civilians and soldiers over this past year, as well as how the terrible tragedy of Majdal Shams affected her Druze community.
In accordance with StandWithUs UK’s educational mission, one of the post critical aspects of the tour was visiting a series of prominent educational institutions. They inspired students at schools including Yavneh, JFS, Immanuel, Hasmonean Girls, Hasmonean Boys, and King David Manchester. Their message of courage and endurance resonated deeply with the youth, planting seeds of empathy and resilience.
The tour extended its reach with a significant stop at Birmingham and Manchester, where the stories of resilience were met with heartfelt engagement and reflection. Most notably, the tour included a compelling address at the largest university student gathering in London, where StandWithUs UK brought together almost all of London’s Jewish and Israel societies, leaving an indelible impact on those in attendance.
Throughout the 'Stories of Resilience' tour, StandWithUs UK fostered an environment of learning, remembrance, and hope. Each story shared was a testament to the unwavering Israeli spirit in the face of adversity.
For further information on the 'Stories of Resilience' tour or to learn more about StandWithUs UK’s ongoing initiatives, please contact: Devora Stoll- devorak@standwithus.com
Together, we remember. Together, we stand resilient.
About StandWithUs UK:
StandWithUs is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organisation that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism. Founded in 2010, StandWithUs UK has become a recognised support system and leading resource for students on UK campuses. We empower and energise students and communities with leadership training and educational programmes on both school and university campuses. StandWithUs informs through social media, printed materials, digital platforms, film and newsletters. The StandWithUs flagship Emerson Fellowship programme seeks to raise students into future leaders, equipped to stand strong in the face of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. We believe in the right of the Jewish People to self-determination in their historic homeland of Israel. We educate the facts in an unbiased and holistic manner, with an open mind, reflecting on views from all sides of the political, social and humanitarian spectrum whilst promoting peace. StandWithUs UK believe the current discourse surrounding Israel on campus all too often crosses the line between legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies and the dangerous, mainstream, antisemitic rhetoric which stands contrary to the IHRA definition of antisemitism. We work to educate on that distinction, encourage civil discourse on legitimate criticism of Israel, and to fight antisemitism wherever it emerges.
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