From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein #118: We Will Dance Again: A Mother’s Unshakable Faith with Hostage Mother Shelly Shemtov
Unbreakable Faith: A Mother’s Journey of Strength, Pain, and Miracles with Shelly Shemtov
In one of the most moving conversations we’ve ever had on From the Inside Out, we sit with Shelly Shemtov, the mother of Omer Shemtov, who was held captive in Gaza for 505 days.
Shelly opens her heart and takes us into a mother’s worst nightmare, and her unshakable faith that never wavered. Through anguish and uncertainty, she refused to break. She believed with all her heart that her son would return, and miraculously, he did.
With tears, strength, and breathtaking humility, Shelly shares how she spoke to God through the darkness, how gratitude and prayer became her lifeline, and how even in the tunnels, Omer felt the light of Am Yisrael surrounding him.
This is more than a story of survival, it’s a story of the power of a mother’s love, the depth of Jewish faith, and the miracle of hope that never dies.
If you’ve ever faced pain you couldn’t understand, or prayed for something that felt impossible, this conversation will move you, strengthen you, and remind you that light truly does rise from the deepest darkness.
GUEST BIO
Shelly Shem Tov is the mother of Omer Shemtoy, one of the lsraeli hostages taken on October 7, 2023, and held in Gaza for 505 days. For over a year and a half, Shelly became a symbol of unyielding maternal strength, leading a global fight for her son's release with courage, faith, and relentless determination. Today, she shares her deeply personal journey through powerful lectures on hope, inner strength, and renewed purpose born from enduring the unimaginable. Shelly speaks from the heart-offering audiences an intimate window into her story of love, faith, and the ability find light in the darkest of moments.
Shelly's emotional and inspirational talk will provide you with real world tools for growth from hardship.
Shelly is currently in the US, and if you would like to contact her regarding speaking engagements please reach out at metadvocacy@gmail.com
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Overview
02:17 Shelly's Journey of Faith and Strength
05:50 Omer's Captivity and Resilience
10:09 The Power of Faith and Community Support
20:02 Reflections on Freedom and Gratitude
22:33 The Road to Healing and Advocacy
31:17 Embracing Bitachon in Life's Journey
32:21 Healing and Reflection
33:13 Insights from a Love Coach
34:52 The Power of Self-Love
46:21 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Confidence
49:32 Unity and Advocacy
54:40 Dancing Through Adversity
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