Most 14-year-olds are immersed in video games or hanging out with friends. But Hillel Kornwasser, just 13 years old at the time, chose a different path after the tragic events of Oct. 7. Partnering with NCSY, Kornwasser set out to document the stories of resilience, survival and community response, culminating in his powerful documentary film, “Forces of Resilience,” set to premiere on Dec. 22 at a Teaneck location, provided upon registration.
The film captures the aftermath of the devastating attacks, including deeply moving interviews with survivors from the Nova music festival, and portrays the resilience of our nation. The film features key inspiring community figures like Hillel Fuld, Jen Airley, Shabbos Kestenbaum, Eitan Katz, Charlie Breda and Nova survivors Daniel Sharabi and Amit Musaei. Airley will also be a guest speaker at the premiere event. Through his lens, Kornwasser portrays not only the horrors of that day but also the extraordinary courage and unity that emerged in its wake.
The production partnership with NCSY, an organization focused on nurturing the flame of Judaism within our nation’s youth, is the perfect reminder of our collective strength as Jews around the world face the rise of antisemitism post October 7. As Chanukah approaches, this film emphasizes the never-ending shining light of the Jewish nation.
“I wanted to tell a story that shows how strong our community can be, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy,” said Kornwasser. “This film is about more than just the events of Oct. 7—it’s about the resilience of the Jewish people.”
Kornwasser’s journey into filmmaking began with a determination to document history and share it with the world, a remarkable achievement for a 14-year-old filmmaker. Working closely with NCSY, he traveled to the Nova festival site, connecting directly with survivors, and undertook every step of the filmmaking process, from scripting and interviewing to production.
Despite his young age, Kornwasser has demonstrated exceptional maturity and dedication, crafting a film that sheds light on an often overlooked perspective of recent events. His ability to connect with survivors and bring their stories to life showcases his passion for storytelling and his commitment to preserving the voices of his community.
To register, visit ncsy.org/forces-of-resiliencefeaturing-guest-speaker.
