IJN: Hostage Survivor Nili Margalit in Aspen July 23 for A4BGU
IJN: Hostage Survivor Nili Margalit in Aspen July 23 for A4BGU
July 9, 2025
Current events, Leadership, Awards & Events
Intermountain Jewish News—Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) will bring a hostage survivor of Hamas to Aspen and Vail in July to share her harrowing experience.
A4BGU’s July 23 event at the Aspen Chabad JCC, as well as its July 25 program at B’nai Vail, will feature Nili Margalit, a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) alumna, nurse, and faculty member who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and held hostage in the Gaza Strip.
Margalit’s training at BGU equipped her with the skills to administer critical care under extreme conditions, enabling her to provide lifesaving treatment to fellow captives. Her story is emblematic of how BGU and its community members are standing strong for Israel during wartime and spearheading the nation’s recovery.
The university was directly and disproportionately impacted by October 7 in terms of the number of students, faculty and staff who were killed, wounded, kidnapped and called to IDF reserve duty.
Because of Iranian missile attacks that hit Beer-Sheva last June, destroying medical labs and damaging buildings across the campus, the BGU community is continuing to navigate trauma.
“Nili’s story of survival, resilience and heroism powerfully demonstrates BGU’s broader role in leading the way forward for all of Israel through its excellence in the face of adversity,” said A4BGU CEO Doug Seserman. He plans to be at both events, along with BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz.
On the day in between Margalit’s two presentations, A4BGU will bring the community together on July 24 for a scenic bike ride around the Maroon Bells mountain peaks, followed by a bagel lunch at noon at the Aspen Jewish Congregation garden.
Join A4BGU this month:
Nili Margalit: Hostage, Survivor, Hero – REGISTER HERE
Wednesday, July 23, 5-7 p.m. at Aspen Chabad JCC, 435 W. Main Street, Aspen
Bikes, Bells, Bagels – REGISTER HERE
Thursday, July 24, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., meet at Aspen Chapel,77 Meadowood Dr., Aspen (near Highway 82 roundabout)
Nili Margalit: Hostage, Survivor, Hero – REGISTER HERE
Friday, July 25, 10 a.m. noon. at B’nai Vail Congregation, 19 Vail Rd, Vail, Colorado
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