A Year Later: Standing Together in Solidarity In Israel

Reflect. Remember. Stand with Israel—Reflecting on My Trip After October 7th

A year ago, I stood with many from our congregation on the soil of Kibbutz Zikim, witnessing firsthand the destruction that had unfolded. The images are burned into my memory—the shattered homes, the remnants of lives interrupted, and the overwhelming sense of loss. We were there not as visitors, but as family. Because when our brothers and sisters in Israel suffer, we feel it, too.

Traveling from Dallas, we weren’t just bringing words of support; we were carrying the weight of our collective responsibility. In that moment, as we stood among the ruins, we knew that our presence mattered. It wasn’t just about seeing—it was about standing together, about affirming that we are one people, no matter where we are, and that no one should ever feel alone.

Since that visit, our connection to Kibbutz Zikim has deepened. This past week, our Jewish Federation received a letter from its members—people we met during that trip, people who were rebuilding their lives one step at a time. They wrote of the unimaginable hardships they endured, of the fear and uncertainty that became part of their daily lives. And yet, they also spoke of hope. They described how our visit reminded them that they were not forgotten, that there were people halfway across the world who saw their pain and stood with them.

In their words, they expressed gratitude—not just for the support we have given, but for the strength they have drawn from knowing they are not alone. They shared how the simple act of showing up, of listening, of standing beside them in solidarity, has helped them find the courage to rebuild.

We adopted this kibbutz because their challenges became our challenges. Their fears became our concerns. And as we reflect on this past year, one thing remains clear: The bonds of our people are unbreakable. When one part of our community is in pain, we don’t turn away. We lean in. We show up.

A year ago, we walked through destruction. Today, we walk alongside those rebuilding. And tomorrow, we will continue to stand together, because that’s who we are. That’s what it means to be part of this Jewish community.