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10 | JUNE 20 • 2024 
J
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standing up in a way that the people of 
Nir Oz could not, announcing boldly 
and defiantly that Am Yisrael Chai, and 
we will stand vigil until the time when 
you can finally return home, and the 
healing process can begin. 
After several other difficult stops, 
including the Nova Festival site and a 
“car graveyard,” our day ended at an 
army base where 60 young women live, 
work and train together. We spent the 
evening getting to know these brave sol-
diers, helping them set aside their fright-
ening reality, if just for a few hours. 
It’s easy to forget how young these 
heroes are, 18-22 year-olds who are (or 
will be) risking their lives, not only out 
of duty, but also because they feel so 
strongly about the State of Israel that 
they are willing to put their lives on the 
line for it. These are some of the tough-
est women I have ever met. However, 
they spoke to us openly and animated-
ly, sharing their fears and the trauma 
they’ve experienced in the last eight 
months. At the end of the evening, there 
were hugs and tears as we said our fare-

wells. We brought them much needed 
joy, and they did the same for us in turn.
The world has changed since Oct. 7. 
My world has changed. But I didn’t know 
quite how much until this experience. 
During my 10 days in Israel, I met some 
of the country’s greatest heroes, men and 
women literally putting themselves in 
harm’s way to protect our homeland and 
their fellow humans. I spoke to the fami-
lies of hostages and fallen soldiers whose 
tangible grief is itself a living, breathing 
entity. I sat with injured soldiers and lis-
tened to their stories, knowing full well 
that even once their bodies have healed, 
their minds will still have a long, hard 
road ahead. 
I felt conflicted about my love and 
loyalty for my surrogate country coupled 
with my intense sadness about the ongo-
ing humanitarian crisis that is devastating 
the people of Gaza mere miles away. I 
cried. A lot. I met 40 incredible women, 
and our shared experience will bond us 
together forever. 
Our collective job now is to synthe-
size this experience in a way that we can 

share, not just in our own community, 
but beyond it. It’s important that people 
across all ends of the social and political 
spectrum know what happened there 
last fall, and that in spite of the evil, we 
are not victims, but survivors. As one of 
our speakers, Ilana Cowland, said, it is 
our responsibility to be ambassadors for 
strength and goodness in our homeland. 
“Don’t let the loud mosquitoes make 
more noise than the sleeping lion,” she 
said. “Roar really loud.”
Every day we have a choice about how 
we view and react to the world around 
us. Ryan Dembs taught us that. A loving 
husband, father, brother and son, Ryan 
was a faithful Zionist who wore his faith 
proudly but privately. I didn’t know Ryan 
personally, but he has made an indelible 
impact on my life, and I’m grateful to him 
and his family for their love, generosity 
and, most importantly, their faith in the 
fact that 41 Zionist lionesses, in the face 
of fear, would roar. 

Marni Raitt is the Executive Director at the Detroit 

Jewish News Foundation.

Mission participants at the Kotel in Jerusalem

ON BEHALF OF THE 
JEWISH FEDERATION, 
WE WANT TO THANK OUR 
SUPPORTERS FOR MAKING 
OUR 2024 ANNUAL 
CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS.

Through your generous contributions, we are able to provide 

essential services, support those in need, and build a vibrant, 

connected community. Whether it’s helping families in need, 

supporting our fellow Jews in Israel, or funding educational and 

cultural programs, your generosity touches lives in profound ways.

Thanks to all of you who donated, volunteered and participated 

in the work of strengthening Jewish life in our local community, in 

Israel and around the world. We are deeply grateful for your trust 

and dedication to our mission.

TODAH 
RABAH!

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

