Editor’s note: There is a change in the speaker featured at the event. Orit Mark Ettinger will be speaking in place of Iris Haim.

Binghamton’s Jewish community will join together to mark October 7 at the annual Pauline and Philip M. Piaker Memorial Lecture at the Chabad Center on Tuesday, October 29, beginning at 7 pm. Orit Mark Ettinger will present her life story and lessons in a presentation titled “Broken Ray of Light; Finding the Light through the Darkness.” There is no cost for the event, but reservations are necessary and can be secured at www.JewishBU.com/Piaker. A question-and-answer session and desserts will follow the presentation. Additional funding for the evening is being supplied by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton, the Eisenberg Foundation and Jewish Family Service. 
“The lecture will feature one of Israel’s most inspiring speakers, Orit Mark Ettinger,” said organizers of the event. “She lives in Israel and will be traveling for her presentation. Iris Haim was set to be the guest speaker, but due to personal reasons related to the war in Israel had to bow out; she strongly recommended Ettinger.”

Organizers added, “Orit is a media professional, panelist on Israel’s Channel 13’s ‘Morning Show,’ and an inspirational speaker who delivers riveting lectures sharing her life story interwoven with impactful lessons on overcoming adversity, personal growth and resilience.”

In 2016, her father, Michael Mark, was killed in a terror attack near their home in Otniel, Israel, and her mother was severely injured. Two years later, her eldest brother, Shlomi Mark, was killed while working for Mossad, Israel’s Institute for Intelligence and Special Assignments. On October 8, 2023, when the Israel-Hamas war began, her cousin, Elchanan Kalmanson, was killed by terrorists after he saved more than 100 people from Kibbutz Be’eri. And on October 31, 2023, Orit’s younger brother, Pedayah Mark, was killed while fighting in Gaza.

“Through unending pain and grief, Orit founded an organization called ‘Or Michael,’ which organizes thousands of volunteers to spread light at hospitals and around Israel. Orit is the author of ‘Broken Ray of Light,’ a best-selling book about turning tragedy into hope, soon to be released in English,” organizers said. “Orit’s story is one about living in the shadow of terror, yet is full of hope and inspiration. Over the past eight years, Orit has turned her profound tragedies into strength, power and hope, and shares her story with thousands across the world. Orit provides her audiences with tools and approaches to handle complex realities of life and grow from hardship.”
“Orit Mark Ettinger is an exceptional speaker whose strength and light tell the story of Israeli resilience,” said Rivky Slonim. “You may shed tears, but you will also laugh and undoubtedly gain inspiration for navigating through hardship and bringing light to the world.”

“Orit Mark Ettinger shares a message of resilience and faith,” said Shelley Hubal, executive director of the Federation. “Every one of us has the power to choose what kind of life we will live. We can choose to see the good in others and to spread ‘chesed.’ This lecture will be good for the soul. I hope to see you there.”