T

hree weeks ago, I was one of 41
women who embarked on the
Dembs Mission to Israel with
Partners Detroit. In a time of global
uncertainty for Jews, this mission
had a profound impact that none of
us could have antici-
pated. Any apprehen-
sion about traveling to
Israel during wartime
was overshadowed by
the compelling need
to be there with our
people and share in
the collective sorrow for all that has
been lost.
Ryan Dembs loved Israel and his
Detroit Jewish community deeply,
and naming the Israel Mission in his
memory was a fitting tribute. Every
participant experienced the Land of
Israel and connected with our faith
and our people in a way that would
have meant so much to Ryan.
Each of the 10 days of our trip
brought a torrent of emotions: joy,
pride, hope, despair, fear and anger.
We visited IDF army bases and holy

sites, volunteered at local farms and
food pantries and solemnly toured
sites of devastation, meeting with
survivors. Young soldiers were
thrilled and grateful to see us, exud-
ing confidence and hope for their
success. Survivors shared harrowing
and horrific stories, recounting the
loved ones they lost and those still
missing.
On our first day in Israel, we expe-
rienced firsthand the fear and chaos
of a rocket attack near our hotel in
Tzfat, something Israelis all over the
country have been dealing regularly
with for over seven months.
Our days were filled with encoun-
ters that strengthened the spirit:
soldiers paying respects at the “car
cemetery,” where vehicles aban-
doned by Nova Festival-goers are
enshrined; a spirited group of South
African teens singing songs of hope
at the Nova Festival site; the resil-
ient survivor of Kibbutz Nir Oz and
daughter-in-law of an 84-year-old
hostage, who served as our guide at
the decimated kibbutz.

Jill Menuck

Tour guide Moshe Rothchild speaks to participants
at the car graveyard near the Nova Festival site.

A shot-out window at Kibbutz Nir Oz

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