Paralympian to speak in NJ

Noam Gershony, wounded Israeli hero and paralympic gold medalist, will speak at three venues in New Jersey during September to benefit and raise awareness for Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces’ well-being programs for wounded soldiers.

The three events will take place at 7:30 p.m. at: Congregation Anshe Chesed, Linden, Monday, Sept. 19; Hilton Woodcliff Lake, Wednesday, Sept. 28; and Adath Shalom, Morris Plains, Thursday, Sept. 29.

In 2006, Gershony’s Israeli Air Force Apache helicopter crashed in Lebanon, killing his copilot and severely wounding Gershony. Six years later, he won the Gold Medal for wheelchair tennis at the 2012 London Paralympics.

“After my injury I wondered, why did I survive? I used to be able to fly an Apache and now I can barely walk up four steps. That’s when I decided never to let myself become depressed — no matter what the situation,” said Gershony. “Now I know that I’m a very lucky guy: I fell 6,000 feet to what should have been my death, and I rose again.”

“Gershony risked — and nearly lost — his life to protect the State of Israel and Jews worldwide,” said FIDF NJ director Howard Gases. “FIDF programs for wounded soldiers and veterans like him help these resilient and inspirational men and women return to a sense of normalcy.”

To RSVP, contact 646-274-9646 or fidf.org/noamgershonynj.

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