I recently returned from Israel for the fourth time since October 7, this time as part of a mission with 100 Ruby Lions of Judah. I had never participated in a women’s mission of this size and wasn’t sure what to expect. From the very beginning, when we learned that Ran Gvili, the final hostage, had been returned home, we experienced both soaring highs and devastating lows. Throughout the journey, we were privileged to see and experience JFNA’s Rebuild Israel initiative firsthand.

One of the most moving moments was a performance by the Greenlicks, a modern-day Sound of Music family who, after the devastating loss of their son and brother, chose music as a path toward healing. This was the first time they had ever performed in English. As they sang songs like Imagine and James Taylor’s You’ve Got a Friend, and performed a powerful collaboration with Shauli, who had left Israel’s The Next Star to fight in the Nahal Brigade, we danced, cried, and sang along. We bore witness to their grief and courage, and while our spirits were lifted, I believe theirs were too.

At Re’im, we met survivors who shared harrowing stories of escape and spoke candidly about the psychological toll of that day. Visiting the Nova festival site for the third time, I couldn’t help but notice how it had changed. Rows of newly planted trees now stand, one for each victim, an especially fitting tribute in the land of Israel.

Later that afternoon, we met Mira Hajaj at the Observer’s Memorial, a site she and her family built themselves. Mira shared the story of her daughter Aviv, whose role was to observe Gaza and report anything unusual. Aviv and her fellow observers did exactly that, reporting suspicious activity, including farmers being switched out, digging, and burning tires, only to be ignored. Mira wept as she described Aviv’s kind and principled heart. Aviv chose black as her favorite color because she felt sad that no one ever chose the black crayon in the box. She stood up for what was right, even noticing when IDF soldiers’ quarters were missing mezuzot.

Before arriving in Israel, each of us had been asked to bring a mezuzah to donate. In that moment, everything became clear. Mira is continuing Aviv’s mission by ensuring that every soldier has a mezuzah on their quarters. As we cried together, Mira told us how deeply our presence mattered. Showing up, she reminded us, means more than we can ever imagine.

Some of us also heard from participants and volunteers from HaBeit HaYam, Home by the Sea, who explained how being in the water, and learning to surf, can be a first step in healing from trauma. Nitzan shared her story with vibrancy and energy, yet revealed that for two years she had been unable to smile. Ruama spoke of her 13 year old daughter’s kidnapping and thankful return in the first group, breaking down several times. When offered a tissue, she gently declined, saying she was no longer afraid of her tears after being unable to cry for two years. Witnessing these two women smile and cry together was a profound example of Israeli resilience.

We were fortunate to experience home hospitality one evening, where we shared stories and built relationships with Israeli Lions. Discovering our shared values and feeling our hearts merge as we worked toward common goals was one of the highlights of the trip.

At JAFI, the Jewish Agency for Israel, we heard from mentors of Jewish Youth Futures and learned about their holistic approach to supporting at-risk youth by working simultaneously with the child, their family, and their school. Encouraging children to dream, set goals, and envision a different future impacts not only their lives but the country as a whole. Despite language barriers, creating crafts together allowed us to connect in the simplest and most meaningful way. We just wanted to make each other happy.

We were also honored to hear from extraordinary speakers, including Yonit Levi of Channel 12 News, who spoke about current events and her book Don’t Feed the Lion, co-authored with Bianna Golodryga to address antisemitism for middle schoolers; Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, the courageous founder and co-chair of the Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children; and Michal Herzog, First Lady of Israel.

It is hard to put into words the courageous heart of every Israeli we met. This experience bonded 100 women, many of whom had never met before, into family.