A powerful night of resilience, reflection, and healing is coming to St. Louis. On April 28, just two days before Israel’s official day of remembrance, the local community will hear directly from Deborah Ben-Aderet, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. She and her family were evacuated from Kibbutz Zikim near Gaza. Now, for the first time in St. Louis, she’ll share her deeply personal account of that harrowing day and its aftermath.
Joining her is Arielle Turover Cohen, a children’s book author whose grassroots effort, “I Am Brave and Unafraid,” is providing Hebrew-language emotional support materials to children evacuated from Gaza-area communities. The event, moderated by Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein, who has served as the rabbi of Bais Abraham Congregation since August 2024 of Bais Abraham Congregation, will take place from 7–8:30 p.m. and is free to the public.
But before you attend, here are five things to know to make the most of this special evening.
1. This is more than a story—it’s lived history
Deborah Ben-Aderet will never forget the gunfire outside her home.
“My husband and I looked at each other in panic,” she said. “Whatever was happening, it was within 100 meters of us.”
As her daughters—then just 6 and 8—watched cartoons to distract themselves, the family huddled in their safe room. Since that day, Ben-Aderet says, life is now divided into “before” and “after.”
“We lived through something that will be in history books,” she said. “And in many ways, we are still living it.”
2. The book project that began on a bedroom floor
After a night of nightmares, Cohen told her daughter, “If you see that scary lion again, be brave and turn it into a birthday cake.”
From that spark, “I Am Brave and Unafraid” was born—a children’s book aimed at helping young readers take control of fear through the power of their thoughts. Now, it’s being translated into Hebrew and delivered directly to children from kibbutzim impacted by Oct. 7.
“I want kids to feel strong,” said Cohen. “Each one will get two copies—one to keep, and one to give. Kids giving to kids.”
3. You’ll hear hard truths—and feel renewed hope
This event is not political. It is personal.
“We’re not here to debate. We’re here to heal,” said Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein, who has served as the rabbi of Bais Abraham Congregation since August 2024. “This is about listening to real people who lived through a tragedy.”
He added, “As time goes on, the sharpness of tragedies tend to fade. It is important for us to learn about and remember the October 7th attacks, not just as a horror against the Jewish people, but as a tragic event for individual people, families, and communities.”
Ben-Aderet hopes to encourage action: “We need people to hear the truth and share it. Help advocate for Israel. Witness our strength. We will not be defeated.”
4. Children are still recovering—and still dreaming of going home
Ben-Aderet says her daughters are resilient, but still scarred. Alarms and sirens trigger PTSD. Her 10-year-old now sleeps with a nightlight again.
“Out of nowhere, they bring up the scariest moments from Oct. 7,” she said. “But they can’t wait to go back to Israel.”
Cohen’s book hopes to offer a tool to support that healing process—not just for Ben-Aderet’s daughters, but for thousands of children.
5. Here’s how to attend—and support
The April 28 event is hosted by Bais Abraham Congregation, with support from more than 10 area Jewish organizations. It is free, but advance registration is required due to security protocols.
Register here: baisabe.com/event/KibbutzZikimSupport
Proceeds from book sales and donations will go directly toward the next stage of the “I Am Brave and Unafraid” project—distributing the first 1,000 Hebrew-language copies across Israel.
Sponsors include: Kol Rinah, B’nai Amoona, U. City Shul, Young Israel, Congregation Shaare Emeth, United Hebrew Congregation, Temple Emanuel, Aish St. Louis, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and St. Louis Friends of Israel.
Learn more about the book project at: thechesedfund.com/iambraveandunafraid
