An Invisible Thread

This month, a unique event took place in Israel — one woven with an invisible thread that ties together many seemingly unrelated strands, all of which remind us just how deeply connected we truly are.

A group of young Jewish adults from Atlanta gathered at Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Many of them had never met before, though they grew up in the same community. They differ in age, background, and the purpose that brought each of them to Israel. Some are here for Gap Year programs, others are Masa Israel Teaching Fellows, teaching English to Israeli children in the periphery, some came for other programs. They live in different cities across Israel and participate in different programs — yet one thing unites them all: they all come from Atlanta.

The location of their gathering was no coincidence. Nahal Oz is a beautiful place, now bearing immense emotional weight in Israel and the Jewish world since the events of October 7th. It became one of the symbols of the Simchat Torah massacre — and, perhaps not by chance, it also happens to be Atlanta’s twin community through Partnership2Gether.

Nahal Oz is located just a short distance from Gaza. Soldiers fought for Nahal Oz — and from within it. One of those soldiers was Dekel Swissa Z”L, the sole commanding officer at Outpost Paga, near the kibbutz, where he fought heroically and fell in battle.

Not far away, in Kibbutz Sa’ad, lived another soldier — Rose Lubin Z”L, a Masa alumna who made Aliyah after her program to serve in Israel’s Border Police. She too gave her life defending the homeland during the war.

At first, it may seem like there’s no connection between them — but there is. Rose grew up in Atlanta; Dekel volunteered there during his Jewish Agency year of service. And now, they are remembered — together.

In November, 18 young men and women, all from Atlanta, all current Masa fellows, gathered in Israel’s southern region, in Atlanta’s partner communities, to honor the memory of Rose and Dekel.

The special gathering took place under the auspices of a unique collaboration that we at Masa Israel Journey are especially proud of: our partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and the Zalik Foundation, whose investment makes this meaningful connection possible. The partnership’s goal is to nurture future Jewish leadership — for the global Jewish people and, in particular, for the Atlanta community.

Through this initiative, Masa fellows affiliated with the Federation meet several times a year for deep and meaningful sessions focused on leadership, identity, and belonging. Our shared vision is that when they return home, they do so with a stronger sense of purpose and identity — ready to lead and carry their community forward.

This year’s first seminar, a two-day program, focused on the theme of Jewish Peoplehood; exploring what it means to be part of a people and where each of us fits within it. The program was created in partnership with Atlanta’s twin communities — Yokneam and Nahal Oz.

During their visit to Nahal Oz, fellows held a memorial ceremony for Rose and Dekel. In their memory, they planted a new garden: roses for Rose, and palm trees for Dekel (“Dekel” means “palm tree” in Hebrew). The day ended with the singing of Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem, facing Gaza — a symbol of the hope we all carry.

One of the fellows, Ayla Cohen, shared: “Attending leadership seminars and being part of the Atlanta Masa Fellowship community has shown me what it means to take responsibility for my own Jewish and Zionist identity. I’ve learned how to be a leader within the Jewish community while standing up for Jews across the world.”

The connection between all these threads feels almost cosmic — Atlanta’s Masa fellows honoring the memory of two young heroes, both bound to Atlanta, together with the people of Nahal Oz, a place that has become both a symbol of pain and of hope.

This entire bond exists thanks to the Federation and the Zalik Foundation, who understand how crucial these experiences are for shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders — for the Jewish people as a whole, and for the Atlanta community in particular.

It was an experience these young people will never forget. This is what identity, belonging, and community are made of. At Masa, we are proud to have served as a bridge — strengthening our fellows and honoring Israel’s heroes in the way they so deeply deserve.

And that invisible thread? Suddenly, it can be seen clearly. Because whether in Israel or anywhere else in the world — we are all one people, bound together by something powerful and eternal. Recognizing that thread depends only on us — and on the work we do today, to ensure the future we hope for tomorrow.