Rabbi Doron Perez and Iris Haim
Lessons of Light: Choosing Life: Simcha in Times of Uncertainty
Sunday 26.07.2026
Summary
The worst of times brings out the best in people. The days, months, and years following October 7th have been filled with torrents of heartbreak and pain for the Jewish people, yet amidst the horror, an immeasurable amount of light has shone in the stories of thousands of brave heroes. From those stories arose important lessons of enlightenment and deep wisdom for humanity to keep going and keep growing. The Lessons of Light series focuses on the individual lessons learned from the life and light of the greatest heroes of October 7th and in the time that followed.
Join us for an extraordinary conversation as Iris Haim, one of Israel’s great heroines, interviews Rabbi Doron Perez, Executive Chairman of the World Mizrachi Movement , the President of the World Zionist Movement, and the father of Daniel Shimon ben Doron Eliezer זצ"ל.
Both are parents who have endured the unimaginable pain of losing a son in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks.
Yotam Haim, Iris’s son, was taken hostage to Gaza and tragically killed by friendly fire after escaping captivity. Daniel Perez, a tank commander, was killed in battle and abducted by Hamas.
In a deeply poignant twist of divine providence, the same terrorist who abducted Daniel was also responsible for holding Yotam and the two hostages who were with him in the Gaza tunnels.
This is not simply a conversation about grief. It is a life lesson about faith, resilience, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit.
Iris, whose response to her son’s death touched hearts around the world through her remarkable message of love, compassion, and forgiveness towards the soldiers involved, will ask Rabbi Perez where he has found the courage to continue leading, inspiring, and giving hope while carrying such profound personal loss.
Together they will reflect on Daniel’s enduring legacy, including the powerful words he left in his personal journal: אם לא אני, אז מי?״. Im lo ani, az mi?“ – "If not me, then who?”
These timeless words challenge each of us to discover our own purpose and responsibility, whatever circumstances we face.
This promises to be a deeply moving hour of honesty, inspiration, and hope—showing how, even in the darkest moments, it is possible to continue bringing light into the world.
Rabbi Doron Perez
Rav Doron Perez serves as the President of the World Zionist Organization and the Executive Chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement.
Rabbi Perez was elected unanimously in December 2025 to serve a 5 year term as the President of the World Zionist Organization.
As head of World Mizrachi in 2014, Rabbi Perez has focused on organizational transformation, providing a wide range of inspirational programming with Mizrachi currently active in 32 countries worldwide. He previously served the South African Jewish community for 15 years as the Rabbi of the South Africa Mizrachi Movement, Senior Rabbi of the Mizrachi Shul and the Head of Yeshiva College schools.
Rabbi Perez has Rabbinic Ordination, a BA in Jewish education and an MA in Jewish history and has authored two books: Leading the Way – a collection of writings on some of life’s most important issues and recently The Jewish State – from Opposition to Opportunity – a manifesto on Zionism and Jewish statehood. The latter book is available in English, Hebrew and Spanish.
He is married to Shelley and they reside in Yad Binyamin and are parents to 4 children.
Their second son, Captain Daniel Perez HY”D, was killed in action and taken hostage on October 7th/Simchat Torah 2023 and returned for burial at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on Simchat Torah 2025 exactly two years later.
Iris Haim
