On Wednesday, April 2, Hebrew Academy of Miami Beach welcomed a very special guest: Omer Shem Tov, who was held hostage by Hamas for 505 days and released in March. Students and faculty gathered to hear Omer speak about his experience, his unwavering faith during captivity, and the strength he drew from knowing that Jews around the world were praying for his safe return. Omer was welcomed by elementary students with cheerful signs, singing, and dancing that set the tone for the powerful visit. Since the October 7th attacks, Hebrew Academy has come together in daily prayer for the safe return of the hostages. Months earlier, the school hosted Omer’s mother, Shelly Shem Tov, who spoke powerfully about her son and her enduring hope that he would come home. Omer’s return—and his presence on campus—was nothing short of a miracle. His words left a lasting impression on students and staff, offering a firsthand glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond of the Jewish people. Hebrew Academy is grateful to the Schottenstein family for making this meaningful visit possible. To see a video of his visit, visit instagram.com/hebrewacademymiami. Categories (tags): CommunityEarly ChildhoodElementaryGrandparentsHigh SchoolIsraelTorah Values
