(Courtesy of Chabad of Connecticut) On Tuesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Armon Hotel, the Stamford community will have the rare and powerful opportunity to hear firsthand from two survivors of the Oct. 7 attacks: Sapir Cohen and Sasha Troufanov — a young Israeli couple whose lives were forever changed by the events of that day.
What began as a quiet morning at Sasha’s parents’ home in Kibbutz Nir Oz quickly descended into horror. As rocket sirens blared and chaos unfolded, armed terrorists stormed their home. Sasha and Sapir were violently abducted and taken into Gaza, torn from each other, unsure if the other had survived.
In the days and months that followed, they endured the unimaginable.
Sapir, held captive by Hamas for 55 days, experienced the darkness of Gaza’s tunnels but also the flickers of humanity that refused to be extinguished. She met Sasha’s mother while in captivity and cared for a young kidnapped girl, becoming her protector in a world devoid of safety. She was even interrogated by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Through the trauma, Sapir found something unexpected: faith. Though she had never been religious, she began to feel the presence of God, discovering strength in spirituality and a renewed connection to her Jewish identity.
Sasha, meanwhile, was shot in both legs during an attempted escape and left without medical care. Captured by Islamic Jihad, he was hidden, moved and isolated for 498 days. He narrowly survived airstrikes, a tank shell and immense physical and emotional pain. Unaware of Sapir’s fate or his own family’s tragic losses, he began to pray. He too found faith — something larger to hold onto in a world unraveling around him.
Their reunion after nearly a year and a half in captivity was more than just a homecoming. It was a miracle. And now, they are choosing to speak.
Join us for an evening of hope, strength, healing and truth. Come hear their story. Be inspired by their strength. Stand in solidarity.
The Armon Hotel is located at 2701 Summer St., Stamford. Suggested donation: $36; sponsorships available.
Register and support at chabadconnecticut.org/hope.
All proceeds from the evening will go directly to Sapir and Sasha to support their ongoing healing and rebuilding.
