In the face of unimaginable tragedy, resilience blooms. Sometimes in stories, sometimes in song, and sometimes in an act as simple as planting a tree. The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s recent solidarity mission to Israel was a journey of heartbreak, gratitude, remembrance, and resolve.

From the moment they landed, the delegation was embraced by a nation still carrying the pain of October 7 while refusing to surrender its spirit. Each day of the mission brought them deeper into the lived experiences of the Israeli people.

The journey took them from the South, where fields still bear the scars of terror, to the North, where evacuated communities are slowly returning home. In Tel Aviv, the group stood in Hostage Square and met with Udi, whose cousin, Tal, was murdered on October 7^th while defending his kibbutz. Tal’s body has yet to be returned.

To bear witness to the horrors of October 7^th and honor the heroes who defended their homes, the group met with Matan in Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha, Federation’s new partner community in the south. Matan shared the story of how he fought terrorists in his home while his wife spent hours alone with their children in the safe room.  His family joins many others who are renovating their homes and looking forward to returning to their community.

Amid the heartbreak, there were moments of profound connection and comfort. At Kibbutz Hanita, 65% of the residents have returned, rebuilding their lives and homes despite the trauma of mass evacuation. The commitment to return, especially among teenagers eager to go back to school with friends, reflected a powerful will to reclaim normalcy.

Later that day, while visiting a Druze village near the northern border, air raid sirens pierced the sky, signaling a missile launched from Yemen toward Israel. Without hesitation, an elderly Druze woman welcomed the group into her home’s safe room. In Hebrew, she reassured them: “Don’t worry — you are in Israel. You are protected.” Moments like these were reminders of the extraordinary unity and courage found in the fabric of Israeli society.

The delegation also joined the national remembrance on Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day), standing still during the siren and mourning alongside thousands at military memorials and cemeteries. In a stark contrast to the solemnity of remembrance, Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) was spent alongside IDF soldiers, where music, shared meals, and heartfelt conversations embodied the strength and unity of the Israeli people.

In Zichron Yaakov, Federation’s Partnership2Gether community, the group planted four trees in the newly dedicated ‘Partnership Grove,’ a site once scorched by devastating fires. Just one day after fires swept through Israel, this symbolic act of planting new life in a grove that had been damaged years ago became a powerful testament to the deep-rooted connection between the Boca Raton and Zichron Yaakov communities.

April Leavy, Chair of the Israel & Overseas Task Force, said the mission was a turning point. “This trip reminded us why our support is so essential. Seeing the strength of the Israeli people in person and the needs firsthand, changes the way we advocate, give, and connect. It brought everything into sharper focus.”

Their final stop was Har Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery. The group stood before a newly opened section created after October 7, now filled with fresh graves of fallen soldiers and civilians. Surrounded by flowers, letters, and flags left by mourning families, it was a solemn reminder of the heavy price of resilience and the deep pain still felt across the nation.

As the visit came to an end, the delegation left Israel forever changed. The stories of pain, resilience, and hope they witnessed will stay with them, fueling a deeper commitment to Israel’s future. In a country that has known unimaginable loss, the Federation leaders saw firsthand the power of community, the strength of unity, and the unwavering spirit of a people determined to rise again.

Jill Rose, Chair of the Board of the Federation, reflected on the mission’s lasting significance. “This experience deepened our understanding and our purpose. It is not just about showing up during crisis. It is about building lasting partnerships and being there through every phase of healing and rebuilding. The impact of our presence and our continued support cannot be overstated.”

This journey was more than a mission; it was a call to action, a reminder that the heart of Israel beats not just in its land, but in the hearts of those who stand with it, now and always.