The Blessing of a Broken Heart

Seven years ago, Koby Mandell, the 13 year old son of Sherri and Rabbi Seth Mandell, was stoned to death in a cave in Israel by terrorists. The news made headlines around the world, not only for its brutality, but because it happened to an American family from Silver Spring, Maryland. In the aftermath, Sherri, a native of East Rockaway, and an alum of Cornell University, wrote an award-winning book, The Blessing of a Broken Heart, in which she presents her unique perspective on the hidden power of tragedy based on her own harrowing experience. Sherri and Seth also co-founded the Koby Mandell Foundation, named in memory of their son, which aims to teach others the power of a positive, healing response to terror and trauma.