In a Small Community, a Widow’s Grief Becomes a Beacon of Resilience

There are moments in life that defy comprehension, tragedies that leave us questioning everything we thought we knew. For Hadas Loewenstern, the recent loss of her husband, Elisha—a brilliant software engineer, a Master Sergeant in the IDF reserves, and a dedicated Torah scholar—was one such moment. Elisha’s death, while heroically rescuing wounded soldiers in Gaza, wasn’t just a loss for his wife and six young children. It was a rupture in the very fabric of the community that loved and respected him.

But here’s the thing about grief: it’s unpredictable. It can swallow you whole, or it can light a fire so fierce it propels you into action. Hadas chose the latter. Instead of retreating into the dark shadows of despair, she stepped into the light, carrying with her a message that has resonated far beyond the borders of Israel.

Next Thursday, September 12th, just days before her eldest son’s Bar Mitzvah, Hadas will be in Wilmette. She’s not just coming to speak—she’s coming to share something deeply personal, something raw and real. In her words: "I don’t want to just tell my story. I want to connect with people, to show that even when life brings you to your knees, you can stand up again."

There’s a reason why people listen when Hadas speaks. It’s not just because she’s been through what most of us can’t even imagine. It’s because she doesn’t sugarcoat the pain. She doesn’t pretend there’s an easy answer. But she also doesn’t accept defeat. Her story is one of resilience, of finding meaning in the most unlikely of places, and of refusing to let tragedy define the rest of her life.

This event is more than just another talk. It’s a chance for our community to rally together, to show that we don’t just talk about supporting one another—we show up when it counts. Rabbi Dovid Flinkenstein, who arranged her trip and is hosting her at Chabad of Wilmette, put it bluntly: "This isn’t just about honoring a fallen hero. It’s about learning from the strength of those left behind."

Be there. Not just for Hadas, but for yourself. Because her story isn’t just her own—it’s a universal one. It’s about what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan, and how we pick up the pieces.

RSVP at ChabadWilmette.com/Hadas, all proceeds benefit the ‘Voices of Valor Project’, supporting widows of the October 7th War.

This isn’t an evening you’ll forget. It’s a chance to hear from a woman who, in the face of unimaginable loss, found a way to keep moving forward.