In Israel, the story of Sgt. First Class Yona Betzalel Brief is a testament to courage, resilience, and the profound love that unites a nation. Thousands gathered at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem to honor his memory in a funeral that embodied not only sorrow but also unrestrained compassion and faith.

Yona’s story began in the elite Duvdevan commando unit of the IDF, where he served as a combat medic. On the morning of October 7, 2023, amidst the horrifying Hamas attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Yona’s heroism shone through. As the first soldiers to confront the massacre, Yona and his unit were met with unspeakable brutality. His best friend, Amir Fisher, and commander, Ben Bronshtein, were shot before his eyes. Without hesitation and heedless of his own safety, Yona rushed to their aid, exposing himself to enemy fire.

The cost of his bravery was immense. Yona sustained thirteen bullet wounds, shattering both of his legs and leaving him grievously injured. Yet,...

In a deeply moving update shared by Yoav Limor of JNS.org, Israeli intelligence has confirmed that 51 out of 101 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza are believed to be alive. This revelation comes from a combination of public and classified intelligence gathered after the harrowing events of Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas unleashed a brutal attack on Israel. This data not only exposes the dire circumstances these hostages face but also reflects the unwavering resolve of Israel to protect and rescue its people.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already shared this difficult truth with the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, reinforcing that roughly half of the hostages are thought to still be alive. “Some families have accepted the government’s conclusions about presumed deaths, while others are holding out for definitive proof,” Limor reports. The heartache for these families is immeasurable, but their faith and resilience mirror Israel's spirit as a...

Simhat Torah is traditionally one of the most joyous celebrations in the Jewish calendar, a time to rejoice over the completion and renewal of the Torah reading cycle. Families gather in synagogues, dancing with the Torah scrolls in their arms, expressing gratitude for God’s Word.

Yet this year, the spirit of Simhat Torah has been overshadowed by the horrifying massacre on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched a horrific and brutal attack, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking nearly 200 hostages.

Instead of celebrating with dancing and joy, Israeli families are now mourning their loved ones. As one Israeli shared, "This year, we cannot dance with the Torah like we used to. The joy is gone. How can we celebrate when so many of us are grieving?" The tragedy has transformed a day of celebration into one of sorrow and reflection.

As we think of the traditional blessings of Simhat Torah, “Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has given...

Shirel Golan, a young woman who survived the devastating Nova Festival terror attack on October 7th, tragically took her own life after enduring relentless online harassment. Shirel’s story is one of unimaginable trauma: escaping the horrors of Hamas’s brutality, only to face a new form of cruelty from online bullies who flooded her social media with vicious comments.

Survivors of terror already face immense emotional burdens, but for Shirel, the trauma continued long after the physical danger had passed. The online hate she encountered left her feeling isolated and broken. Sadly, her story reflects the dark side of social media, where unchecked hate can push even the strongest survivors to the edge.

This tragic loss reminds us that words matter—whether online or offline. As we stand with Israel, we must also stand against the forces of hate and extremism, no matter where they surface.

To learn more about Shirel’s heartbreaking story and the growing dangers...