Ilanit Zakowski

Words of Survivors Will Live on, Though Survivors Will Pass

Although Mary grew up with a secular upbringing in Budapest, she responded “in the camps I prayed. I prayed and I knew God was listening. My mother, a non-religious woman, told me that this is the story of our people- we suffer but have lived through it and have gotten this far- we will continue to survive and live a beautiful life when we’re out of here.” [Ilanit Zakowski]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Ilanit Zakowski, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Released Hostages Made to Suffer One Last Time by Hamas Captors

We witnessed the first images: Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari and Romi Gonen’s propaganda-filled transfer- how they were forced to smile, accept a certificate and “goody bag”, appearing as if their time spent as hostages was all fun and games. That image of Doron, a beautiful young woman, in a bright pink sweater surrounded by a swarm of hostile Arabs chanting “Death to the Jews.” [Ilanit Zakowski]

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Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Reading the News with Trepidation and Resolve

It was all so horrific, and I think back to the weeks following October 7th. I remember that fear within me each time I turned on my phone right after Shabbat (and often during the week as well). What new information will the news bring? Has Israel entered Gaza yet? Have they found any of the hostages? And our precious chayalim (soldiers). Please tell me they are all safe, that there were no casualties over Shabbat.  [Ilanit Zakowski]

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Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Remembering a Friend Dating Back to Our Teen Years and Through Motherhood

I checked the news in Israel as I always do after Shabbat  and saw a headline about children and a woman injured in a fire in Kochav Yaakov. The first thing I thought was ‘Kochav Yaakov! Adina!’ But what are the chances it was her? [Ilanit Zakowski]

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Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA