CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Eli Sharabi, 53, an Israeli man taken hostage and held by Hamas for nearly 16 months, spoke to an audience of nearly 1,000 people Dec. 8 at the Hebrew Academy in Cleveland Heights.

His message was one of resilience, hope and the power to choose life despite unimaginable tragedy.

Sharabi recounted the harrowing events of Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists stormed his home in Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel, and tore him away from his family.

For 491 days, he endured captivity under brutal conditions.

When he was finally freed on Feb. 8, 2025, Sharabi was reunited with his mother and sister -- only to learn that his wife and two teenage daughters had been murdered in their home during the attack.

The evening was deeply emotional for attendees.

“Tonight was a very tou

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