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“And You Shall Choose Life”
A Story of Strength, Honesty, and Hope
Join us for an elegant 4-course Shabbat Dinner featuring guest speaker Irit Ben-Arie,
widow of October 7 hero Chaim “the Bus Driver” Ben-Arie, z”l.
Irit will share her powerful journey, from personal tragedy to resilience, and the lasting legacy of her husband, who courageously saved children during the B’eri massacre and later took his own life in the aftermath.
Friday, September 12
Services and Candle Lighting: 6:30 PM
Shabbat Dinner: 7:15 PM
Location: Chabad Jewish Center of Tamarac
8100 N. University Drive, Tamarac, FL
About Chaim and Irit Ben Arye
Chaim Ben Arye was a devoted husband, father of eight, and a longtime Israeli school bus driver known for his warmth, kindness, and deep love for his family. On October 7th, during the Hamas attack on southern Israel, Chaim heroically responded to a call for help, rushing into Kibbutz Be’eri to rescue civilians under fire. He loaded his bus with children, the elderly, and traumatized survivors — driving them to safety amidst devastation few could imagine.
Though he saved many lives that day, the horrors he witnessed left deep emotional scars. Chaim returned home a changed man, silently carrying the pain of what he had seen. Just weeks later, while sitting in the very bus where he had performed his act of heroism, he took his own life.
His wife, Irit Ben Arye, now shares their story — a story of courage, compassion, and the often-unspoken cost of trauma. Through her voice, she brings awareness to the emotional toll of terror and the need for greater support for survivors and first responders. Her strength and honesty help ensure that Chaim’s memory lives on — not just as a tragic loss, but as a symbol of selfless love and quiet heroism.