On March 13, 2024, Einav Danino, mother of hostage Ori Danino, came to HANC to speak to the students and faculty during club period. Ms. Danino spoke in Hebrew, and the Ivrit teachers translated her words to English so her story could be understood by all.
Ori Danino was at a party on October 7, 2023. He was called to the army when Hamas attacked, but when he learned that the friends whom he had met that day were in danger, he turned around and tried driving back towards the party in an attempt to save them. When he got there, he was taken as a hostage by the Hamas terrorists. His car was later found to have been burned and shot at, seen through the holes from gunshots.
Ori’s story is heartbbreaking. He was taken hostage because, for him, every person is a friend. He is an inspiration. When young people learn about what makes a hero, the story of Ori Danino should be told.
Ori Danino’s story is also a lesson for Jews about how anti-Semitic the world is. That day, innocent people were killed, raped, and taken hostage. Kind people, like Ori, were taken hostage. But anti-Semites on college campuses, at workplaces, and at schools are blaming Israel and Jews for October 7.
At a point in her speech, Einav recalled a story about Ori. Before Ori’s bar mitzvah, he was in a dangerous car crash. Then, Ori’s mother asked Hashem for a favor one last time. She told Hashem that, if Ori survived, she would never ask Hashem a question again. Therefore, since Ori survived the crash, she will not question Hashem in this situation she has been placed in. Ms. Danino said she was glad that it was she whose son was taken hostage and not another mother.
Einav Danino’s speech was incredibly powerful. She is a mother who does not know when her son is coming home, a situation which no mother should have to go through. Einav said one of the most important things now is for the Jewish people to be united and for communities to continue doing chesed. That is what we must strive to do. Hearing Einav Danino was something so unique that every student and faculty member will remember forever. At the end of her speech, many listeners were crying because they were so moved by her experiences and continued faith in Hashem.
