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On October 7, Jewish National Fund-USA delivered a powerful message of solidarity to the people of Israel, launching its 150-delegate “We Choose Life” mission at the Yad Mordechai heritage site. This mission, one of the organization’s most significant since the war began a year ago, symbolizes unity and resilience, declaring that despite the worst tragedy to strike our people since the Holocaust, we remain steadfast in our commitment to move forward.

The mission's starting point, Kibbutz Yad Mordechai in the Negev, was no coincidence. Delegates, holding both Israeli and American flags, stood beneath the bullet-riddled water tower, a memory of a brutal attack on the kibbutz during Israel’s War of Independence. After Israel’s establishment, when formerly displaced kibbutz members returned to their homes, they chose to leave the damaged water tower standing as a symbol of destruction, but also erecting a monument to Mordechai Anielewicz, the iconic Jewish fighter of the Warsaw Ghetto, nearby. Together, these landmarks serve as a vivid reminder that from destruction comes revival. It also served as the mission for the Yad Mordechai Holocaust Museum: From Holocaust to Revival that was built years later.

In an emotional presentation at the site, in the shadow of the monument and water tower, the delegates conveyed a poignant message: “We choose life.”

Members of the delegation

Russell Robinson, CEO of Jewish National Fund-USA, had been present in Israel on October 7 the previous year and like many others, hasn’t rested since. “This moment is about standing up, raising flags, and remembering those we lost,” Robinson shared. He added that more delegates would have joined if not for airline issues. “The airlines may delay us, but nothing will hold us back from standing with Israel—neither the people of Israel, our spirit, nor our shared purpose.”

In This Together

Jewish National Fund-USA’s Chief Development Officer, Rick Rosnick, echoed Robinson’s sentiments. “It was vital for us to be here, to say, ‘We are here with you. We’re here to offer support, to be present, and to remember,’” he said. “This trip is all about solidarity. Jewish National Fund-USA has been bringing thousands of volunteers to Israel since December to help rebuild and restore. This mission is a hug—a way of saying you’re not alone. We’re in this together.”

Connecting to the Present Through Heritage Sites

Following the presentation, the group toured the Reconstructed Battlefield heritage site at the kibbutz. Years ago, the Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites - SPIHS, a Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate, restored the trenches used by kibbutz members during the War of Independence and marked the battlefield with lifelike figures in strategic points. In a striking twist, the kibbutz’s current first responders—descendants of the original fighters—used these same trenches on October 7, 2023 to repel Hamas terrorists who had tried to overrun the kibbutz.

The delegation also included students study at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel and others studying at Israeli institutions of higher learning.

“It’s incredible to stand on this land and see history come alive,” said Yael Ratson, a Georgia native studying architecture at the Technion in Haifa. “Connecting past events to the present on such a significant day is deeply moving.”

Choosing Life: A Definition of Resilience

Deb Lust Zaluda of Chicago participated in the mission for the first time in her new role as Jewish National Fund-USA president.

“As president, it’s crucial for me to be here with our Israeli family, showing that we’ve always been here and we’re not going anywhere,” she explained. Deb emphasized the significance of beginning the mission at Yad Mordechai, noting how history had repeated itself in that very spot.

“This place is a powerful reminder that life goes on. The memories of those we lost live on through our actions and words. Choosing life is why we’re here—it’s an important message for the world and a crucial reminder for our friends in Israel. Even when it’s hard to face the day, we move forward. That’s the definition of resilience.”

To support Israeli communities in the north and south, visit jnf.org/supportisrael.

On October 7, Jewish National Fund-USA delivered a powerful message of solidarity to the people of Israel, launching its 150-delegate “We Choose Life” mission at the Yad Mordechai heritage site. This mission, one of the organization’s most significant since the war began a year ago, symbolizes unity and resilience, declaring that despite the worst tragedy to strike our people since the Holocaust, we remain steadfast in our commitment to move forward.

The mission's starting point, Kibbutz Yad Mordechai in the Negev, was no coincidence. Delegates, holding both Israeli and American flags, stood beneath the bullet-riddled water tower, a memory of a brutal attack on the kibbutz during Israel’s War of Independence. After Israel’s establishment, when formerly displaced kibbutz members returned to their homes, they chose to leave the damaged water tower standing as a symbol of destruction, but also erecting a monument to Mordechai Anielewicz, the iconic Jewish fighter of the Warsaw Ghetto, nearby. Together, these landmarks serve as a vivid reminder that from destruction comes revival. It also served as the mission for the Yad Mordechai Holocaust Museum: From Holocaust to Revival that was built years later.

In an emotional presentation at the site, in the shadow of the monument and water tower, the delegates conveyed a poignant message: “We choose life.”

Members of the delegation

Russell Robinson, CEO of Jewish National Fund-USA, had been present in Israel on October 7 the previous year and like many others, hasn’t rested since. “This moment is about standing up, raising flags, and remembering those we lost,” Robinson shared. He added that more delegates would have joined if not for airline issues. “The airlines may delay us, but nothing will hold us back from standing with Israel—neither the people of Israel, our spirit, nor our shared purpose.”

In This Together

Jewish National Fund-USA’s Chief Development Officer, Rick Rosnick, echoed Robinson’s sentiments. “It was vital for us to be here, to say, ‘We are here with you. We’re here to offer support, to be present, and to remember,’” he said. “This trip is all about solidarity. Jewish National Fund-USA has been bringing thousands of volunteers to Israel since December to help rebuild and restore. This mission is a hug—a way of saying you’re not alone. We’re in this together.”

Connecting to the Present Through Heritage Sites

Following the presentation, the group toured the Reconstructed Battlefield heritage site at the kibbutz. Years ago, the Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites - SPIHS, a Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate, restored the trenches used by kibbutz members during the War of Independence and marked the battlefield with lifelike figures in strategic points. In a striking twist, the kibbutz’s current first responders—descendants of the original fighters—used these same trenches on October 7, 2023 to repel Hamas terrorists who had tried to overrun the kibbutz.

The delegation also included students study at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel and others studying at Israeli institutions of higher learning.

“It’s incredible to stand on this land and see history come alive,” said Yael Ratson, a Georgia native studying architecture at the Technion in Haifa. “Connecting past events to the present on such a significant day is deeply moving.”

Choosing Life: A Definition of Resilience

Deb Lust Zaluda of Chicago participated in the mission for the first time in her new role as Jewish National Fund-USA president.

“As president, it’s crucial for me to be here with our Israeli family, showing that we’ve always been here and we’re not going anywhere,” she explained. Deb emphasized the significance of beginning the mission at Yad Mordechai, noting how history had repeated itself in that very spot.

“This place is a powerful reminder that life goes on. The memories of those we lost live on through our actions and words. Choosing life is why we’re here—it’s an important message for the world and a crucial reminder for our friends in Israel. Even when it’s hard to face the day, we move forward. That’s the definition of resilience.”

To support Israeli communities in the north and south, visit jnf.org/supportisrael.