When Omer Wenkert speaks in St. Louis later this month, don’t expect a lecture or a start-to-finish retelling of his life. That’s not the point. What this evening offers instead is something narrower and, in many ways, harder: a chance to sit with a story that most of us know exists, but don’t fully understand.
Wenkert was abducted from the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and held in Gaza for more than 500 days. Since his release earlier this year, he has chosen to speak publicly in select settings. These appearances are not about reliving every moment of captivity, but about acknowledging what happened and grappling with what comes next.
That question shapes “From Darkness to Light,” a public program hosted by Jewish National Fund-USA, which takes place Tuesday, Jan. 20, and pairs personal testimony with a broader look at rebuilding and recovery in Israel.
What this evening is and isn’t
Organizers are clear that the program is not meant to be a comprehensive account of Wenkert’s captivity.
“This isn’t meant to be a full retelling of Omer’s time in captivity,” said Jason Rose, director, Midwest, for Jewish National Fund-USA. “He shares parts of his journey, but the focus is on resilience and how he’s thinking about the future, both personally and for Israel.”
More broadly, Rose said the goal is to connect an intensely personal story to something larger.
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“People should expect to hear a powerful personal story, but also to understand how that story connects to rebuilding and recovery in Israel,” he said.
The event is being organized by a broad group of local volunteers, with Amy and Mark Cantor and Jenny and Rich Wolkowitz serving as event chairs. Members of the host committee include Lauren and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham, Fran and Harvey Cantor, Gloria Feldman, Todd and Stephanie Greenberg, Stephanie and Geoffrey Gross, Annette and Jack Heller, and Adela Etcharren and Mark Hyman, reflecting the wide community effort behind bringing the program to St. Louis.
Why this moment matters
More than a year after Oct. 7, the story is still settling. Communities in Israel’s south and north continue to rebuild, and for many in the Jewish community, the emotional weight has shifted from shock to something heavier and harder to name.
The tone of the evening, Rose said, is meant to reflect that complexity without overwhelming it.
“The tone is honest, but it’s not heavy,” he said. “It acknowledges real challenges while staying focused on hope, purpose and connection.”
This may be an evening where listening matters more than learning facts. How does Wenkert talk about the future without minimizing what he’s been through? What moments does he linger on, and which ones does he move past? What does he choose not to explain?
Those choices often reveal more than a timeline ever could.
“From Darkness to Light: A Story of Resilience”
Who: Omer Wenkert, former Israeli hostage
When: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m.
Where: Creve Coeur (address provided prior to event)
Cost: Requested minimum gift of $360 to Jewish National Fund-USA’s annual campaign; $180 for attendees ages 22–40
Details & registration: jnf.org/darktolight
Event Chairs:
Amy & Mark Cantor and Jenny & Rich Wolkowitz
Host Committee
Lauren & Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham • Fran & Harvey Cantor • Gloria Feldman
Todd & Stephanie Greenberg • Stephanie & Geoffrey Gross
Annette & Jack Heller • Adela Etcharren & Mark Hyman
| RELATED: Nova Music Festival doc ‘We Will Dance Again’ set to premiere on Paramount+
