The moment we stepped off the plane in Israel, we felt it. Streets that had seen tragedy were alive with people moving forward, rebuilding, living. The weight of what had happened over the past two years was there, yes, but so was hope and energy.
Returning now, post October 7, 2023, was a reminder of how much has changed. The last time we were in Israel (2019 and 2022 respectively), the country was in a profoundly different place. Now, arriving after the hostages had come home allowed us to witness strength and courage in full bloom, not just sorrow, and to see firsthand the life that continues despite unimaginable loss. The Israelis don’t have the luxury of wallowing in self-pity or cowering in fear. Their resilience is incomparable.
We have been good friends for many years, and it was our honor to co-chair this Mission to Israel together. Arriving a few days early, we joined a behind-the-scenes food tour in Jerusalem of the Mahane Yehuda shuk (market), along with other early arrivals. The aroma of fresh pastries and spices, the brilliant colors of the market stalls, and the lively chatter of vendors created a feast for the senses that felt unforgettable.
Once the rest of the group arrived, we hit the ground running.
We had the honor of meeting and speaking with Michal Herzog, Israel’s First Lady. Mrs. Herzog provided an intimate look into how the past two years has impacted her and her husband, President Herzog. She told us at that meeting they had already been to more than 1,500 funerals since October 7, 2023.
We visited two of our partner communities, Kibbutz Erez and
Ofakim/Merchavim, where we were honored to be part of the 30th anniversary celebration of our Federation’s partnership. Speaking directly to the people there, listening to their stories, gave us hope. These moments were the heart of the Mission. They reminded us of human resilience in a way that no social media story, or news clip could ever convey. Debbie was fortunate to have co-Chaired the CommUNITY Mission in 2018, when we visited Erez and Ofakim. Going back there after October 7, seeing firsthand where they were infiltrated and hearing their stories firsthand made it all that much more personal.
At the Nahal Oz base, we met female soldiers who had faced direct infiltration and heard their stories firsthand. One woman, who had lost friends in service, kept smiling the whole time. Her courage and calm are almost impossible to put into words. She had such strength even as she relayed to us the stories of visitors from the UN who still doubted the facts after watching her footage and hearing her first-hand account of that day.
When we traveled to the Nova Festival site, we saw a large photo collage of faces, men and women, young and old, children and teens. Stacey’s daughter is a roller-skater, and in one of the photos was a young woman in her roller skates. We couldn’t help but think: this could be anyone. It could be us, our friends, our families. It made the stories of loss all the more
personal, and the moments of joy all the more precious. Debbie’s son organizes music festivals across the U.S. This could have been any of those festivals, where innocent kids gathered to listen to music and have a good time. Never in a million years could they have imagined this scenario.
Our visit to Hostage Square was another meaningful and impressive visit, leaving a lasting impact on us. From the empty seats at the table, now set up in the shape of the yellow ribbon, to the installation of a pseudo tunnel complete with eerie sound effects.
When we began to plan for this Mission there were still many hostages (both living and deceased) still in Gaza. Hostage Square was, at that time, the site of weekly rallies and protests calling for the hostages’ release. When we arrived, however, we were greeted with a much calmer scene. The living hostages were already home, and by the time we left Israel, only three bodies remained in Gaza. It was quite impactful to see a young woman playing the piano, waiting for Alon Ohel, a hostage who was a musician and only released on October 13 with the last 20 surviving hostages.
At one point during the Mission, we met a mother who had lost her son in the war shortly after October 7. We cannot imagine the strength it took for her to speak about it. To put into words grief so raw and personal. And there she was, composed, determined. Our group discussed how perhaps by speaking about her loss, and telling us about her son, was a way for her to process it, to keep his memory alive while finding a path forward. None of us could imagine having that kind of strength.
And yet, there were lighter moments, too. Dancing around the bonfire at Hotel Kedma, sharing stories late into the evening, and experiencing small, unexpected joys in everyday life. It reminded us that life continues, that people find ways to celebrate, to connect, to be human.
And let’s not forget the food. Breakfasts beyond description, hummus and pita so fresh it could have come straight from the oven, dinner at Florentina with flavors that made every bite a memory. These simple pleasures grounded us in the everyday beauty of life.
The camaraderie among the women on this mission was extraordinary. We came from different places, with different lives, yet by the end, we were laughing together, sharing stories, and connecting in ways only shared experience can create. Having Meredith Dragon, our new CEO, join us was a true honor. Seeing her in action—warm, approachable, so knowledgeable, and deeply committed to connecting with people—added greatly to the experience. Our community is truly fortunate to have her guiding us.
We also visited organizations doing extraordinary work, like Share Zedek, where medical clowns bring laughter to children in pediatric units. Seeing those kids smile, even while enduring unimaginable challenges was so moving. This Mission gave us the human stories, the effort, the hope, the perseverance.
Every site, every conversation, every interaction felt intentional. This wasn’t just travel; it was an immersion in Jewish life, history, and the enduring spirit of Israel. Smaller, women-focused Missions like this are especially powerful. You form connections you never would have otherwise, experience history up close, and leave with memories and lessons that stay with you forever.
Everyone we met was processing the past two years in their own way, and we saw a great deal of creativity as a method of healing. In Tel Aviv, we put on our headphones, music filled our ears, and a dance leader guided us through the streets. The dance leader herself was supposed to have been at the Nova Festival. She missed it that year but sadly lost friends who were there. As we danced, it must have looked wild to anyone passing by—they stopped, took photos, wondering what we were doing. Somewhere nearby, there were buildings damaged by Iranian missiles.
Still, we danced.
If there is one word that sums up this mission for us, it’s resilience. It is in the soldiers who keep smiling despite loss, in mothers who share grief while holding onto hope, in communities rebuilding every day. That is what we carried home, and what we want to share with everyone.
What struck us most on this Mission was not the sites we visited. It was the people. The moments that stand out are the ones that touched our hearts: mothers who had lost children, soldiers carrying on despite grief, children laughing with medical clowns. These are the people and moments we will never forget.
Being with such an incredible group of women made the experience even more meaningful. Together we laughed, cried, and reflected on how this journey impacted us—and how it has forever connected us through this Mission. The people we met along the way were curious about where we live and what brought us to Israel.
They were deeply grateful for our presence, and we felt immense pride witnessing the tangible impact of our Federation’s support, making a difference in communities across Israel.