Kibbutz Nir Oz, once a peaceful com-
munity, was now a haunting landscape of
ruined homes, burned to force residents
out of their safe rooms. On Oct. 7, one
quarter of its residents were murdered
and many were kidnapped when terrorists
stormed the kibbutz.
Our guide insisted that we enter each
home and witness the aftermath of the tragedy
firsthand. We stepped through broken glass and
ducked under fallen beams. We lingered in the
home of kidnapped Kfir and Ariel, the young
red-headed brothers whose faces have come
to personify the evil of this war for many in
America. We were broken when we noticed the
charred couch with soot-gray, neatly folded baby
clothes fresh from the wash and the children’s
jackets hanging on hooks by the front door. The
vibrant yellow, red and purple flowers just out-
side the eerily glassless windows are a poignant
reminder of resilience.

Every person we met, everything we saw, and
every story we heard clearly illuminated the
open and hidden miracles that are still occurring
every day.
The stories of devastation, loss and horror live
side by side with stories of heroism, strength and
resilience among the Jews of Israel. Every story

left me emotionally drained and grieving.
I am forever changed by this experience,
and I’m certain my fellow participants feel
similarly.
As we grappled with our own emo-
tions in the face of such strength and
loss, we found comfort in the unity of the
Jewish people. Everywhere we went — Tel
Aviv, Haifa, Tiberias, Tzfat, Jerusalem and
Caesarea, as well as the Gaza border — we
were thanked for our presence, our prayers and
our support. Instead of feeling hopeless or help-
less, we felt empowered, connected and valued.
This Israel mission not only deepened our
connection to Israel, but also strengthened our
own Detroit Jewish community. We returned as
witnesses to history, as sisters and mothers with
a renewed sense of faith and purpose.

Jill Menuck is committed to community and education as a ded-

icated professional of the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah advancement

team. Jill participated in the inaugural Partners Detroit mission

and was honored to join another impactful mission to Israel.

Jodi
Weinfeld
(left), Elana
Lofman,
Sheri Aaron-
Miller,
Marni Raitt
and Malke
Torgow in
Jerusalem

Mission participants at the Ulu Winery

Shaindel and
Esther Fink

24 | NOVEMBER 3 • 2024 Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Special Edition J
N

PARTNERS
DETROIT

As the adult education division of

Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, Partners Detroit continues

the legacy of excellence in education that began in 1914.

For over a century, the Yeshiva has provided the Detroit

community’s children with a robust Jewish and general

education. In line with their mission to share Torah learning,

promote social welfare and care for those in need, Partners

Detroit offers a variety of engaging opportunities for

adults of all ages and backgrounds, including world-class

educators leading dynamic classes designed to inspire

and connect; sports leagues for young professionals;

one-on-one learning sessions; festive holiday

celebrations; and global missions.

To learn more, call 248-JUDAISM

or visit PartnersDetroit.org.

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