The Women’s Advocacy Group of Women of Holy Blossom presents:
Still Seeking Justice for the Victims of Sexual Violence on October 7
In recognition of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and the National Day of Remembrance and Action commemorating the Montreal Massacre
Sunday, December 7, 10:00 am
Hybrid event – in person (including light breakfast) and online
All are welcome to join us for Morning (Shacharit) Prayer Service at 9:00 am (hybrid)
Cost $18
Please join us as we welcome Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, legal scholar, human rights advocate and the Founder and Chair of the Civil Commission on October 7th, Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children (CC07), which is working to gather the testimony of survivors and witnesses, raise international awareness, and seek justice for the victims of these crimes.
Coinciding with the beginning of the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, November 25, 2025, the CC07 will release their report entitled: Sexual Terror Weaponized – Conflict Related Sexual Violence and the Atrocities of October 7. Findings and Legal Analysis of Gender-Based Crimes Committed During the October 7 Attacks.
Dr. Elkayam-Levy will present some key findings of the CC07 report and engage in a discussion about her work with Senior Rabbi Yael Splansky, Dr. Guila Benchimol, Victim Advocate and Restorative Justice Consultant and Dahlia Lithwick, Legal Journalist. This event builds upon s the March 2024 panel conversation held at Holy Blossom, which addressed the importance of seeking justice for the October 7th victims of sexual violence and why that matters for all victims of sexual violence. You can view the video here.
No graphic images will be presented; however, we will bear witness to the hard truths of the sexual violence perpetrated against our Jewish sisters and family. Rest assured that we are intentionally working to incorporate hope and light into this difficult but important conversation. While our panellists will be shining a light on some of the darkest moments of October 7th, we can find strength and wisdom by learning together and being in community.
In an effort to continue to build understanding and allyship across communities, we encourage you to invite friends or family members who are not Jewish to join you for this event. When you register, you are welcome to add a guest at no additional charge.
Registration coming soon
Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, a legal scholar and human rights advocate, is the founder and chair of the Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children (CC07). The Civil Commission she established has led a global campaign for the recognition of gender-based violence and other atrocities of October 7th. The Commission is building an archive to document these crimes, giving a voice to the victims and raising awareness of war crimes committed against women, children and families. On November 25, 2025, the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Civil Commission will release their report entitled: Sexual Terror Weaponized – Conflict Related Sexual Violence and the Atrocities of October 7. Findings and Legal Analysis of Gender-Based Crimes Committed During the October 7 Attacks.
Dr. Guila Benchimol, Victim Advocate and Restorative Justice Consultant, will bring a trauma-informed lens to the discussion. She has been working to gather the testimony of survivors and witnesses of the sexual violence on October 7.
Dahlia Lithwick is a regular contributing analyst at MSNBC and senior editor at Slate Magazine. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Harper’s, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The New Republic, and Commentary. She is host of Amicus, Slate’s award-winning biweekly podcast about the law and the U.S. Supreme Court. Her recent book, Lady Justice (September 2022), became an instant NY Times Bestseller. Dahlia earned her BA in English from Yale University and her JD degree from Stanford University, and has held visiting faculty positions at the University of Georgia Law School, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the Hebrew University Law School in Jerusalem. Dahlia is part of the international team of legal experts seeking justice for the victims of sexual violence on October 7.
This event is presented in partnership with the Canadian Jewish Women’s Collective
