Navigating Challenges as a Family: Stories from Pittsburgh and Israel | Randi, Shirel & Andrea

In this moving episode, Randi Weiss hosts Andrea Wedner from Pittsburgh and Dr. Shirel Bakbani-Elkayam from Israel—two women whose lives were forever changed by acts of terror. Andrea shares her harrowing survival of the Tree of Life synagogue attack in 2018, while Shirel recounts her family’s experience during the October 7th attacks in Israel.

Together, they reflect on how personal tragedy, communal grief, and unwavering resilience shape both individuals and communities. Through loss, memory, and the power of human connection, their stories highlight the importance of solidarity, healing, and hope—across continents and generations.

• Randi Weiss – Jewish educator and active P2G member in Chattanooga.
• Dr. Shirel Bakbani-Elkayam – PhD in Psychology, specializing in the study of depression and motivational mechanisms, and the chairperson for the Tzahar-Palm Beach steering committee within P2G.
• Andrea Wedner – Survivor of the Tree of Life synagogue attack.