Why Tomer Volunteered with Zaka

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On the second anniversary of October 7th, Jonah sits down with Israeli artist and advocate Tomer Peretz to discuss The 8 Project — an extraordinary initiative he launched in the aftermath of the attacks. Rooted in the symbolism of creation, resilience, and renewal, The 8 Project helps survivors of October 7th — from NOVA attendees and hostage families to soldiers and grieving parents — discover how art can be a powerful path to healing.

For Tomer, that lesson is deeply personal. In Israel for a wedding just days before the attacks, he witnessed the horror of October 7th firsthand. He put his emotions aside to volunteer with ZAKA, Israel’s emergency rescue organization, but the weight of it all eventually caught up with him. What helped him process the pain was art — a lifeline that not only restored his own hope, but reignited his belief in the strength of the Jewish and Israeli people. The results of that creative resilience were recently showcased at The Museum of Tolerance, featuring works from survivors across Israel. In this emotional and deeply meaningful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah and Tomer explore the power of art therapy, the unbreakable connection between creativity and faith and the urgent importance of sharing the stories of those who survived. 

Connect with Our Guest

• Follow Tomer Peretz: www.instagram.com/tomerperetzart
• The 8 Project: https://the8project.org/
• TomerPeretz.com: https://tomerperetz.com/

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Executive Producer Matthew “MoJo” Jones, Story Producer Sean Leviashvili, Editors Diana DeCilio & Jacob Kindber, and Executive Assistant Jax Santiago of Rainbow Creative; Chief Business Officer Kenyon Laing, Executive Assistant Josie Rothschild; Research Associate Samantha Greenwald; Associate Producer Rachel Stern; YouTube Consultants - Zac Stein & Jason Al-Samarrie - Production Assistant, Charlie Zuker; Interns Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb; & Graphic Designer, Noah Bell

Mentioned In Episode

• Zaka
• “The Light Will Win” Museum of Tolerance to Feature Oct 7th Inspired Artwork from Noted Israeli Artist, Tomer Peretz
• Artist Tomer Peretz Volunteers with ZAKA in Israel
• Israeli-American Describes Sheer Horror of Clearing Bodies from Hamas Terrorist Attack
• Award-Winning Artist Tomer Peretz Pulls Off Unexpected ‘Live Art’ Flash Mob at Art Basel in Miami, FL
• The True Horror of ‘Globalize the Intifada’
• Coverage of Oct 12 Lynch in Ramallah
• Golani: Serving With Pride Since 1948
• Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: Spreading Culture & Unity Through Jewish Food, Israeli-American Chef Michael Solomonov
• Native Dies as Israeli Soldier (David Solomonov)
• Israel and Palestine | Middle Ground Roundtable
• What Is A Kibbutz? The Roots of Israel’s Communal Villages
• Shifts in Attitudes Regarding Peace Amongst Kibbutzniks
• A Lifeline of its Own
• As Volunteers Step In for State, Gaza Border Towns Begin Rebuilding from Oct. 7 Ashes
• Who is Barak Hiram of the IDF?
• Controversial Commander Barak Hiram Named Next Gaza Division Chief
• Who Is the IDF General Who Ordered Tank Fire on a Kibbutz Home with 13 Hostages Inside?
• Tomer Peretz’s UNBREAKABLE Exhibit
• UNBREAKABLE Exhibit Video
• What is The Significance of The Number 8 in Judaism?
• Tomer Peretz Creates 1,200 Person Memorial Exhibit for 10/7