A special song for Israel's 77th Independence Day

Daniel Shoshan

Kiryat Shmona

Daniel is only in fifth grade, but he’s already learned what life during wartime looks like: it looks like living out of a giant suitcase, his family’s home in Kiryat Shmona locked up until further notice, and having to transfer to a new school in Tiberias. Life is also shadowed by the immense heartbreak of his cousin being killed in fighting in northern Gaza, leaving Daniel devastated.
Einat, his mentor in The Jewish Agency’s Youth Futures program, has been there for Daniel through it all. In the safe, supportive space they created together, his grief and overwhelming emotions found a listening ear and an open heart. “I felt comfortable with Einat, I knew she was here to help me,” Daniel shared. Through their work together, Daniel was able to begin to heal and reconnect with his inner strength.
Einat knows she can never bring back what Daniel has lost, but thanks to her, he is discovering that it’s always possible to rebuild and be rebuilt.

More about Youth Futures

Daniel, A Youth Futures participant and his mentor Einat

Lavi Orrel

Tiberias

Lavi made Aliyah last August from Washington, completely on his own, or as he puts it: “I didn’t leave home, I came back home!”
This decision didn’t surprise those who know him, as Lavi, who has high-functioning autism, is driven by determination, courage, and a strong connection to his Jewish and Israeli identity.
When the war broke out, Lavi was attending a public high school in Washington, where he faced daily incidents of antisemitism from his classmates, leading him to realize that after graduation, it was time to make Aliyah.
Soon, he will enlist in the IDF, marking the next chapter in his inspiring journey. A journey of loyalty to himself, his people, and Israel, the place he has always called home.

MORE ABOUT OUR MECHINOT

Noa and Noam Hanuka

Kibbutz Mefalsim

On the morning of October 7th, Noam was seriously injured by gunfire from terrorists while he was on his way home. At that same time, his wife Noa, who was heavily pregnant, was trapped alone in the bomb shelter of their home in Kibbutz Mefalsim, which was under attack. Just before her phone battery died and the device turned off, she heard Noam’s voice: “My parents will help you raise the baby, you won’t be alone.”
By a miracle, Noam survived, and three days later, he woke from a coma. The couple reunited at the hospital, both as patients, as Noa was suffering from pregnancy-related complications and preparing for a premature birth.
Noa, who works in The Jewish Agency’s Connection Unit, found herself on the receiving end of the support she’s so used to offering others. Both she and Noam received an encouraging visit from Danyelle, a representative from the Fund for Victims of Terror, and were given immediate emergency assistance. “Thanks to Danyelle, I was able to get out of bed,” Noa shared.
Not long after, new life arrived in the world: their son, Roy Uriel, was born, healthy and strong.

MORE ABOUT THE FUND

Adi Peled

London

When you travel by train from London to Manchester and then on to Dublin, the landscapes constantly change. So do the faces of the students Adi encounters on each trip, but one thing unites them all: “Everyone has shown a sincere and heartfelt desire to strengthen their personal and community connection to Israel,” she explained.
As a Jewish Agency emissary, Adi visits university campuses from the UK to Ireland, listening, connecting, and creating a safe space for students to proudly embrace their Jewish identity. Even amid increasing challenges like antisemitism and hostile rhetoric, Adi has managed to help students cultivate a deep love and meaningful connection to their Jewish roots—one that will continue to grow long after they graduate.

MORE ABOUT OUR EMISSARIES

The Maslenikov Family

Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk

For Victoria and Yevgeny from Dnipro, Ukraine, the sudden outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022 changed everything and threw their dreams of Aliyah into jeopardy. But Victoria knew she had to save their young daughter, Melania, so they set out on a dangerous trip, with support from The Jewish Agency. During their journey through Moldova and Romania, The Jewish Agency helped them with accommodation, travel expenses, and then provided assistance with the preliminary consular check before their flight to Israel.
In Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk, they found a new home. “I’ve never regretted my decision,” Victoria said. “The kibbutz is amazing, my daughter is happy at school, and I love living here.”
In December, Yevgeny also arrived in Israel. After two and a half years of separation, the family is finally reunited, building their future in the country they had always dreamed of.

MORE ABOUT ALIYAH AND ABSORPTION

Gili Yakubov

Western Galilee Regional Council

Gili Yaakovov, 9, from the Western Galilee Regional Council, is known for her bright smile and natural charm. But since October 7th, life has become much more complicated. After joining The Jewish Agency’s Youth Futures program, she met her mentor, Oshrat Marko, and slowly began to find some relief. The anxiety, the longing for friends who have left, and the constant stress of living in a town near the Lebanese border that’s regularly targeted by shelling started to ease little by little.
Together, Oshrat and Gili talk openly about their fears, but they also make space for hope. During the next missile strike aimed at the town, Oshrat embraced Gili throughout the siren. “In Oshrat’s arms, I felt safe,” said Gili. In a world where peace and normalcy seem like a distant dream, Gili has found her source of calm in the storm.

More about Youth Futures

Gili, a Youth Futures participant and her mentor Oshrat

Jacky Rechter

Colombia

At 18, Jackie moved alone to Israel from Colombia, and even at the airport, he felt: this is my home. It wasn’t the first time that a sense of belonging and love for Israel overwhelmed him – when he was just five, he and his family made Aliyah to Israel, but they had to return to Colombia due to security concerns.
After serving as a lone soldier in the IDF’s Nahal Brigade, Jackie dedicated his life to strengthening Jewish identity abroad. He volunteered with youth movements, helping many young people make Aliyah. Following October 7th, he established an advocacy network to share Israel’s story worldwide. Even in his current role as an emissary, he connects the community to Jewish identity and Zionism, feeling, “This is not just a professional mission – it is a mission of the heart.”
Though thousands of kilometers separate Jackie from Israel, his love, dedication, and sense of purpose make the distance feel small. Israel is a part of him, always, no matter where he goes.

MORE ABOUT OUR EMISSARIES

Jake Samson and Zoe Manor

London, UK and Denver, CO

Jake and Zoe are participating in the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program, teaching English at an elementary school in Bat Yam. Though they’re not officially citizens of Israel yet, their hearts are already fully here. “My bond to Israel has only deepened since the war, with every rocket and every missile making the connection stronger,” said Jake, who arrived from London last August.
Zoe traveled 11,000 kilometers from Denver, Colorado, to Bat Yam, and she’s already planning to make Aliyah at the end of the program. Jake is also eagerly waiting for the email that will announce his official Aliyah date.
Both are now part of Israel’s story, contributing their talents and representing world Jewry’s commitment to the Jewish State, proving that love for Israel transcends borders.

MORE ABOUT MASA

Morin Nissim

Sderot

As an only child who grew up in the daycare center on a kibbutz, Morin learned independence early on. When she joined The Jewish Agency’s Alma Mechinah – a women’s leadership preparatory program – she realized that her mature, curious approach to life was truly rewarding. There, Morin met girls from a range of backgrounds and with diverse life stories, and she fell in love with the experience of being part of a true melting pot.
“At the program, I felt there were no social classes. I was recognized for who I am, not judged by my life story,” she shared. “The essence of the program isn’t just about finding your role in the army, but also about developing skills and gaining tools for life beyond. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I felt I was contributing to Israeli society, and I rediscovered myself.”
For Morin, Alma was a turning point, helping her grow stronger, more confident, and with renewed faith in herself and her future.

MORE ABOUT OUT MECHINOT

Ziv Ben Hamo, Lital Cohen and Eden Maoz

Tzoah, Ein HaShlosha and Kibbutz Nir Oz

A tranquil lake. The smells of nature. Smiling faces. Endless summer—this is almost all that Ziv, Eden, and Lital from the Eshkol Regional Council need.
In the summer of 2024, as part of an unprecedented initiative by The Jewish Agency, about 1,000 teenagers from the Gaza border area and the north of Israel were given the opportunity to travel to Jewish summer camps across the world. The three girls, who attend Nofei HaBesor High School together, joined the Ramah Berkshires camp in the U.S.
At a time when everything they knew seemed to be falling apart, the summer camp offered them a much-needed refuge—a chance to start to heal from the horrors of war and the events of October 7th. Far from the sounds of rockets and painful memories, the girls found a place of hope. It was a space to rest, recharge, and begin to process their trauma, all while connecting with peers from Jewish communities around the globe. Though healing remains a long journey, that summer, for a brief moment, smiles replaced pain, and the sun shone once more.

MORE ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS