Because of You: What I Witnessed in Israel After October 7
By Debbie Kuniansky
March 24, 2026
Debbie Kuniansky, pictured on the right shakes hands with member of the trip
I’ve been on many missions to Israel over the years. But this one was more powerful than I ever imagined.
Recently, I traveled to Israel with 45 members of our Jewish Atlanta community on a Solidarity Journey. We went to bear witness, to see how our Federation’s support is helping communities rebuild after October 7 and to stand beside our Israeli family during a difficult time.
Seeing the devastation of October 7 was heavy and heartbreaking. But what stayed with me most was something else: the resilience of the Israeli people, the survivors, the soldiers, and the children.
Because of you, we can support their physical and emotional needs every day in their struggle to maintain their lives in in Israel.
It really hit home for me in a new way. Our collective dollars through Federation aren’t just donations. They are a more than 30-year strategic investment in human lives.
We didn’t just show up after tragedy. Because of decades of partnership, our community had already built the foundation that people in Israel are relying on right now as they heal and rebuild.
On the trip, I saw how powerful it is when members of our community experience that impact firsthand.
For Heather Feinstein, this was her very first trip to Israel. She told me she felt compelled to come after October 7.
“Since the devastating events of October 7, my husband and I felt compelled to do something to tangibly help the victims,” she said. “It was one thing to see the images and read the reports — but something totally different to see it with my own eyes.”
What surprised her most was realizing how long this work has been happening.
“Before the trip, I didn’t know that many years of work had been done to provide assistance in Israel,” she told us. “Those prior years of effort provided the scaffolding to quickly and effectively provide meaningful assistance after October 7.”
Hearing that reminded me why Federation’s long-term work matters so much.
Trip Chair Julie Elster said it beautifully. “Seeing and hearing from people on the ground makes everything more personal and more urgent in the best way,” she shared. “It turns giving from just sending money into a personal connection you can really feel.”
I saw that connection everywhere we went.
Bari Beilinson, one of our next-generation leaders, described the relationship perfectly: “The bond we share is not just organizational, but deeply personal, truly mishpacha, family.”
And that feeling was echoed by our partners in Israel.
Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, who works closely with our partnership region in Yokneam and Megiddo, told us what it meant to host our group.
“Hosting Jewish Atlanta was first and foremost an opportunity to say thank you,” he said. “It was a powerful act of solidarity and a visible reminder that our communities truly stand together.”
He also shared something that stayed with me.
“In many ways, Federation’s role is like family, not only standing beside someone in the hospital, but walking with them when they return home.”
That is exactly what your support makes possible.
I went to Israel thinking that our community was the one bringing strength.
But the truth is, the people of Israel gave it right back to me.
Our partnership is the heart of this recovery. And your support is what keeps that heart beating.
Because of you, lives are being rebuilt.
Because of you, communities are healing.
And because of you, Jewish Atlanta stands proudly with Israel…today and always.
We are already planning future Journeys to Israel so more members of our community can see this impact firsthand.
And if you’re wondering whether you should go, I’ll share Julie’s advice:
“GO! This trip is for anyone who cares about our community and wants to see the bigger picture in Israel. You’ll come back inspired, connected, and reminded that Am Yisrael Chai.”
