October 7th, Volunteering in Israel & Reconnecting with Our Homeland
October 7th, 2023, is a date seared into the collective memory of the Jewish people for all the wrong reasons. The brutal Hamas attack left Israel reeling and the global Jewish community heartbroken. Like so many with deep ties to Israel, I was devastated. Though my family and friends weren’t directly harmed, the trauma touched all Jews; the entire country was impacted, and so was the diaspora.
In response, a coalition of Jewish organizations—including Onward Israel, Taglit, and Israel Outdoors—organized volunteer opportunities for diaspora Jews to support Israel on the ground. I joined a group of 37 volunteers for two weeks in July 2024. Everyone came from the U.S. and Europe to assist communities in need, listen to those directly impacted, and reconnect with Israel through service and solidarity. We were also lucky to have seven soldiers from the Israeli Navy join us.
🚨 A Sobering Welcome: Under Attack on Our First Night
Our trip began with an abrupt and terrifying reminder of Israel's current reality. At 3:30 a.m. on our first night, a loud explosion shook us awake. Confusion quickly turned to alarm. We later learned a drone, launched by the Houthis in Yemen and reportedly targeting the U.S. consulate in Tel Aviv, had overshot and exploded just one block from where we were staying. Tragically, one person was killed and several others injured. Our group was unharmed, but the experience left a lasting impression—this trip would not be ordinary.
🌾Helping Where It’s Needed Most
The next morning, we jumped into action. Our days were filled with varied volunteer efforts aimed at addressing urgent gaps left in the wake of the war:
- Supporting Israel’s Farms: Many farms rely heavily on international workers, most of whom left Israel after October 7th. We spent long days harvesting crops and preparing fields to help keep these farms alive. It was exhausting but deeply rewarding labor.
- Food & Community Support: We worked in food distribution centers, helped deliver boxes of essentials to displaced families, and assisted at community centers supporting vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities and families displaced by conflict.
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BBQ for Soldiers: A small group of us cooked BBQ for Israeli soldiers on an army base. Conversations with them provided raw, personal insight into the ongoing security challenges.
These efforts, though small in the grand scheme, felt deeply meaningful, filling real gaps in communities striving to cope and rebuild.
🎙️ Bearing Witness: Conversations That Changed Me
Some of the most powerful moments came not from what we did—but from what we heard.
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Meeting Families of Hostages: One day was devoted to hearing from the families of individuals still held hostage in Gaza. Despite unimaginable pain, their advocacy was relentless. They lobbied governments, spoke to media outlets around the world, and formed support networks. Their courage was unforgettable.
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Rehabilitation Center Visit: A few of us visited a major rehab center and met soldiers injured in recent combat. Many had fought in Gaza just weeks earlier. One soldier, a commander who led the first unit into Gaza on October 7th, shared his story of surviving the worst of humanity with remarkable composure. When asked for a message to bring back home, he simply said: “Be proud to be Jewish.”
🕯️ The Nova Festival Memorial: A Site of Collective Grief
The day that hit hardest was our visit to the site of the Nova Music Festival. On October 7th, Hamas terrorists and others crossed from Gaza and attacked the festival, killing hundreds and taking dozens hostage. What was once a celebration of peace and music became a site of horror.
When I visited, the grounds are transformed into a sprawling memorial. There were over 400 posters, one for each person murdered or abducted. As I walked among them, I encountered a family praying by their loved one’s memorial. They recorded a message of hope for his safe return. Israeli Navy soldiers in our group stood silently before the tribute to one of their own—a shipmate still held hostage. The weight of it all was immense.
The site was quiet, peaceful... and absolutely gut-wrenching. It was a profound act of bearing witness to the depths of the tragedy.
🔁 Reflection: Forever Changed by These Two Weeks
At the end of our intense two weeks, our group sat together, reflecting on everything we had witnessed and experienced. It was profoundly clear that we were all forever changed. We had seen firsthand the incredible pain, the staggering resilience, and the unbreakable strength of Israel and its people.
Yes, the trauma of October 7th still casts a long shadow. But so too does the extraordinary unity, the boundless courage, and the unwavering will to survive, rebuild, and cherish life.
I left Israel with a far deeper connection to the land, its people, and the vibrant, complex identity I carry with me every single day. And as that heroic soldier urged, I left with his message echoing in my heart, stronger than ever:
Be proud to be Jewish
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