Deborah made Aliyah in 2011. She uprooted her comfortable life and career because of her deep connection to Zionism. After meeting her husband, they built a beautiful home in Kibbutz Zikim, on the Gaza border. From 2016 until October 8, 2023, they raised their two young daughters there while enduring Hamas terror. They faced incendiary balloons, weekly tire-burning riots along the border that filled the air with toxic smoke, and frequent rocket attacks. When sirens sounded, Deborah and her family had just 5–8 seconds to reach their ma’amad (safe room). On October 7th, hiding in their safe room, enduring rocket barrages and armed only with kitchen knives, Deborah’s family survived the Hamas massacre and attempted infiltration of their community. From inside their safe room, Deborah and her family could hear the rapid gunfire as the security team fought to keep the terrorists out. Their community was evacuated the following day, to a hotel in Jerusalem. After several weeks Deborah made the difficult decision to take her daughters back to her hometown of Highland Park, IL. Her husband remained in Israel to work and care for their home and pets. While displaced in the US for nearly two years, she devoted herself to advocacy and education. She shared survivor testimony through media interviews and spoke at churches, schools, synagogues, and community events, helping people better understand the realities of life in Israel. In August 2025, Deborah returned to Israel with her daughters and reunited with her husband. They relocated to Moshav Bitzaron, where they are rebuilding their lives. When not advocating, Deborah can be found spending time with her girls, riding her horse, or painting. Through her writing and advocacy, Deborah shares her personal experiences to educate others about the realities of life in Israel, confront misinformation, and speak out against growing antisemitism. You're invited to follow her advocacy on Instagram.
