Sasson (Sassy) Reuven, a former Israeli paratrooper and now a California resident and father of three children, in 1976 participated in a hostage-rescue operation that became not just the stuff of legend, but an Emmy Award-nominated film, “Operation Thunderbolt,” which takes its name from the then-secret maneuver.

Reuven’s experience more than four decades ago – along with reflections on religious and ethnic tolerance – is the subject of his talk, “Operation Thunderbolt: The Miracle at Entebbe.” A question-and-answer session will follow his talk.

Reuven’s appearance is sponsored jointly by Portland’s three Chabad centers – Chabad of the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest.

To RSVP, please click to www.JewishNortheast.com/Entebbe. Registration is $10 per person before Nov. 9, and $15 per person after that date. Event sponsorship is $100. Parking is free.

“Reuven learned the details of Operation Thunderbolt only the day before he helped carry it out,” said Chabad of the Northeast Rabbi Chaim Shmaya Wilhelm, who secured Reuven’s appearance.

“That’s incredible, making the death-defying feat he helped accomplish that much more incomprehensible,” he continued. “Even more than 40 years on, his experience and his account have great relevance and hold great excitement. Reuven offers a close-up view of what the rest of us experience only through story or may even know very little about.”

On June 27, 1976, nearly 250 unwitting Paris-bound passengers – most of whom were Jewish and Israeli – took off in an Air France plane from Tel Aviv, only to be hijacked and then diverted first to Benghazi, Libya, and ultimately to Entebbe, Uganda. There, the hostages were held by terrorists under the command of the late dictator Idi Amin. On July 4, the terrifying 90-minute “Operation Thunderbolt,” carried out by the Israeli army under the guidance of the Mossad, resulted in hundreds of lives saved and the death of every hijacker. One who didn’t survive the rescue mission was Com. Yonatan Netanyahu, the brother of Israel’s current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Reuven is quoted in a recent article in a Wyoming-based publication as saying he likes publicly telling his story and explaining Operation Thunderbolt’s historical relevance. “The message is, ‘Have tolerance towards other people’s religions,’” he said in the July piece. “Don’t differentiate people because of color or religion.”

For more about Chabad of Oregon – its three Portland sites and those around the state – as well as upcoming learning opportunities, its philosophy and more, please visit www.chabadoregon.com.