Returning to Israel is always powerful, but this trip was different. It was not just a visit; it was a homecoming to a land that has shaped so much of my identity and purpose. I first fell in love with Israel decades ago during my time in the OTZMA program, and though I have returned nearly 20 times since, this was the first time I felt that same deep, soul-anchoring connection.
Over five days, alongside a diverse group of 14 Jewish leaders, including Brian Jaffee, CEO of the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, we traversed the nation—north to south, kibbutzim to moshavim—standing on hallowed grounds marked by unimaginable devastation and witnessing a people whose resilience refuses to wane. Everywhere we went, one sentiment was echoed: "Thank you for not forgetting us. We are not alone."
We began our journey in Kibbutz Carmia, a community still reeling from the events of October 7. As we met with members of the community, one leader, Dahlit, shared, “It’s a long walk ahead, but with Cincinnati, we feel like we are not walking alone.”
In Sderot, we sat with grieving parents who had lost their children to terror. Manana, a mother whose 10-year-old daughter, Tamar, suffered a fatal seizure from sheer terror, spoke of the trauma that lingers. Through Ma’atefet—a trauma support organization we fund—families like hers are receiving the care they need to move forward. Yet, healing is slow, and the road is uncertain.
At Kibbutz Nir Oz, where one in four residents was either murdered or taken hostage, we saw both destruction and quiet defiance. Standing in their fields, I watched farmers harvesting potatoes, an act of resilience in the face of horror. Thanks to ReGrow Israel, new tractors now replace those looted or burned by Hamas. The Federation’s logo now sits proudly on two of these tractors. When 80-year-old agronomist and former hostage Gadi Moses returned home after 482 days in captivity, these very tractors lined the road to welcome him—a symbol of hope growing from the ashes of despair.
We traveled north to Kibbutz Cabri, where Amir and Moran Yarchi—former Shlichim in Cincinnati—shared their experiences of living under constant threat. Less than three kilometers from the Lebanese border, their community sees rockets before they hear the sirens. Their teenage sons sleep fully clothed, ready to run to a bomb shelter at a moment’s notice. Yet, amid the uncertainty, they remain steadfast, choosing to build, to stay, to endure.
In Safed (Tzfat), we saw another form of resilience. Thanks to our Federation’s funding, Sparks to Life has installed mobile bomb shelters near schools and playgrounds, ensuring children can play without fear. One young girl, once too terrified to step outside, now calls the shelter her "safe room." This is what security looks like—not just walls of protection but spaces where childhood can continue.
Through every meeting, every story, one truth became clear: our support matters.
We are rebuilding homes and healing wounds in Kibbutz Carmia. We are restoring livelihoods through ReGrow Israel in Nir Oz. We are providing trauma support through Ma’atefet. We are protecting children through Sparks to Life in Safed. These are not just programs; they are lifelines.
This is not the end of our work. Israelis have told us: "We cannot move on until all our hostages are home." And so, we remain steadfast, committed to standing with the people of Israel—not just in this moment, but in all the moments to come.
I invite you to join us for "Israel in Your Living Room," an opportunity to hear firsthand from experts and those who have seen the realities on the ground. Together, we will continue to learn, to support, and to ensure that Cincinnati’s connection to Israel remains strong.
Thank you for being part of this sacred work.
Shabbat Shalom,
Danielle V. Minson
CEO, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Your Support Matters: jewishcincinnati.org/give
P.S. We are deeply disturbed by today's display of antisemitism and hate at the Vision Way overpass on I-75, where individuals openly exhibited Nazi symbols. Such acts are an affront to our community's core values of inclusion, respect, and unity. We have reported this incident to law enforcement and are closely monitoring the situation. For our full statement, please visit our Facebook page.