speak about determination and
perseverance at Temple Sinai of Roslyn on Thursday, April 27.
Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly at special temple appearance
Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly will be added to the list of impressive speakers who have shared their compelling messages at Temple Sinai of Roslyn when they discuss Transforming Tragedy into Triumph: America’s Unequivocal Symbols of Leadership, Courage and Perseverance on Thursday, April 27.
Giffords, a former Arizona congresswoman, was severely wounded during an assassination attempt when she was shot in the head from near point-blank range in January 2011. Since then, she and her husband, a retired astronaut and U.S. Navy captain, have encouraged others with their story of hope and determination in the wake of tragedy, serving as a symbol for the possibility of second chances.
These distinguished public servants and models of dedication and resilience represent the very essence of American heroism.
“In all of our lives we experience setbacks, some small, some potentially devastating,” said Lynn Fishkind, Temple Sinai vice president. “Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly have a story of perseverance and promise in light of extraordinary circumstances.”
With a message of inspiring bravery through tough times and a powerful perspective on harnessing strength from others to persevere, Giffords and Kelly bring audiences inside their journey, motivating them to overcome any challenge they face, and to be passionate, courageous and their very best.
Temple Sinai has a longstanding commitment to adult education and has previously featured other distinguished lecturers, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Israeli Prime Ministers Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel.
Throughout their careers and since the shooting, Giffords and Kelly have been honored with numerous accolades. The couple’s enlightening memoir, Gabby: The story of Courage and Hope, has topped many best-seller lists, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
Kelly spent more than 50 days in orbit and served as the commander of Space Shuttle Endeavour on its final flight, and flew 39 combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait during the first Gulf War.
The youngest woman ever elected to the Arizona State Senate, Giffords represented her community in her state’s Legislature from 2000–05 and in Congress from 2006–12, consistently ranking as one of the most Centrist legislators in Congress. Because of the fortitude she exemplified, in 2015, the U.S. Navy honored her by naming a ship, the USS Gabrielle Giffords, after her.
“Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly recently appeared at Northwell Health, where they received rave reviews,” said Fishkind. “We at Temple Sinai are thrilled that they will share their story of strength and renewal, which will be an inspiration to all who attend.”
The program, which has been funded by the Herbert Hyman Fund for Tolerance and the Hochhauser Lecture Fund, will begin at 7:30 p.m., following dinner at 6 p.m.
Temple Sinai of Roslyn is located at 425 Roslyn Rd. in Roslyn Heights. For more information, call 516-621-6800. To purchase tickets, visit www.mysinai.org/giffords&kelly.
