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

22 | NOVEMBER 3 • 2024 Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Special Edition J
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