By: Jayanti Oza

An evening centered on reflection, resilience and cross-cultural solidarity brought together members of the Indian, Jewish, Assyrian and Christian communities in Chicago during a special gathering titled ‘Choosing Life: From Survival to Resilience,’ organized by the Global Indian Diaspora Foundation.

The event’s most moving moment came through the testimony of Barak Morag, a survivor of the October 7, 2023 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel. Sharing the tragedy experienced by his family, Morag spoke about rebuilding life after immense personal loss and choosing hope in the face of devastation.

Addressing attendees, Morag said darkness can never overcome light when people stand together with courage, compassion and humanity. His remarks resonated deeply with the audience and underscored the enduring strength of the human spirit.

The evening opened with remarks from Somnath Ghosh, who reflected on India’s long tradition of tolerance and acceptance. Referring to Swami Vivekananda’s landmark 1893 speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Ghosh highlighted India’s history of offering refuge and dignity to persecuted communities, including Jewish populations.

Delphine Gamburg also addressed the gathering and recalled visiting Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside Indian community leaders. She spoke about the devastation witnessed there and expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown by Chicago’s Indian community toward Israel during a difficult period.

Rakesh Malhotra, president of GIDF, said the event reflected the strong emotional and cultural bonds shared between the Indian and Jewish communities. He noted that both communities are deeply rooted in values of resilience, family, education and cultural pride.

GIDF General Secretary Abhinav Raina thanked attendees for supporting peace and humanity, stressing that unity across communities becomes even more important during periods of global conflict and division.

The event was attended by faith leaders, civic representatives and members of several community organizations. Jim Scudder Jr. attended with members of the Quentin Road Baptist Church congregation, representing support from the Christian community.

Representatives from Jewish organizations, including StandWithUs, also participated in the gathering. Leaders from the Assyrian American Civic Club of Chicago and United Assyrian Appeal joined in expressing solidarity rooted in their own histories of survival and displacement.

Several members of Chicago’s Indian diaspora and cultural organizations also participated in the program, reinforcing the event’s message of standing united with communities facing persecution and hardship worldwide.

The Global Indian Diaspora Foundation continues to organize cultural dialogue and collaborative initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between the Indian diaspora and diverse global communities.

Photos from the gathering featured remarks by Israeli Deputy Consul General Delphine Gamburg, Indian diaspora members with Consul General Somnath Ghosh, and GIDF President Rakesh Malhotra addressing attendees.