From Our Leadership
A message from Major General (Res.) Doron Almog
Since the devastating events of October 7th, the Black Saturday of Simchat Torah, the entire State of Israel has been grappling with the deepest crisis it has faced since its founding. The terrible, unimaginable losses and tragedies have left an indelible sense of failure that distresses each and every one of us. This profound pain compels us to reflect not only on the present but also on our country’s future. We find ourselves contemplating the true nature of Israeli society and the best path to rebuild our national homeland.
My own family experiences this devastation every day. On that terrible day, I lost two family members: Nadav and Yam Goldstein Almog, a father and daughter who were murdered, while the mother of the family, Chen, and their three children—Agam, Gal, and Tal—were brutally kidnapped and taken into captivity in Gaza for 51 harrowing days until they returned to Israel. When they came back home, their journey of coping had only just begun, a journey of rebuilding from deep fractures. This story mirrors that of so many families in Israel. An entire society shaken to its core, yet simultaneously searching for the strength to rise, heal, and build a future.
The State of Israel is not only a sovereign nation for those living in Zion, but it also embodies the deep partnership between Israel and Judaism worldwide. This alliance is a powerful source of strength and inspiration, and it has enabled us to endure even the most severe upheavals in our history. Especially now, during the worst crisis since the founding of the state, we must rebuild and strengthen this crucial partnership, because without it, our future is at risk.
Grief and mourning have touched nearly every home in Israel. We hold deep concern for the future of our beloved country.
In the rebuilding of Zion, we shall find comfort. Action, action, and more action. Let us transform pain into sweeping action, taking necessary steps to boost immigration as a growth engine, deepen ties with Jewish communities worldwide, and invest in rehabilitation as well as building social and moral resilience within our nation. Only through this approach can we emerge stronger from the crisis, and the sacrifices and pain will take on new meaning.
This rehabilitation is not only physical; it is social, communal, and moral. The true measure of victory for the people of Israel will not be judged solely on the battlefield but in the exemplary society we create here—a society that strives for excellence in every aspect, encourages us to look ahead, and guarantees that no one is left behind.
A message from Mark Wilf
Two years have passed since October 7. While the attack struck at the heart of Israel, its shockwaves were felt across the Jewish world. For Jews outside of Israel, it was a moment of grief, fear, and deep uncertainty. In the weeks and months that followed, we also saw a sharp and painful rise in antisemitism in communities around the globe. Synagogues, schools, and Jewish institutions suddenly needed protection like never before.
And yet, even in that difficult time, we also witnessed something extraordinary. Jewish communities everywhere rose to the moment—mobilizing, organizing, showing up for Israel and for one another. The Jewish Agency was at the heart of that effort: providing urgent assistance to victims in Israel, supporting communities abroad, and helping Jews feel that they were not alone, wherever they lived.
October 7 reminded us of a simple but powerful truth: the story of Israel is inseparable from the story of the Jewish people as a whole. Our resilience depends on our unity. In the face of tragedy, we turned to each other, we lifted each other, and we stood stronger because we stood together.
As we look ahead, that lesson must guide us. Out of the deepest pain can come renewed strength. If we remain committed to one another—Israel and world Jewry, side by side—we can transform our grief into determination, and our sorrow into a future of hope, safety, and shared purpose for generations to come.
A message from Yehuda Setton
Two years have passed since that terrible day on Simchat Torah, and the pain is still felt in every Israeli home.
October 7 shook us as a people to the core. The loss is beyond comprehension, the grief is overwhelming, and the rupture remains with us each day. Yet even in the darkness, we found the strength to transform this historic crisis into collective action – together, as one nation.
Out of the tragedy came new connections across the Jewish world. New olim continued to choose Israel and build their lives here. We expanded our network of shlichim, sending thousands of young people to Jewish communities worldwide while supporting thousands of others who came to Israel. We built bridges between Jewish communities abroad and those directly impacted here, and launched major initiatives to strengthen resilience and belonging. Through this work, mutual responsibility became a powerful source of hope, reminding us that we are truly one people with a shared future.
At the same time, we stood by those who needed us most: victims of terror and their families, reservists, small businesses, and local communities. We also mobilized the Community Security Fund and JReady, our global resilience network, to confront the worldwide rise in antisemitism. In all of these efforts, solidarity became an action – expressed in responsibility, resilience, and hope.
The mission is far from over. Healing the wounds, rebuilding communities, and securing a safe future for our people will take many years. But even while we face these challenges, we hold fast to hope and pray for the return of the hostages, for the recovery of the wounded in body and spirit, and for days of peace and security for Israel and the entire Jewish world.
