Hamza Howidy
Noa Reuveni
Ysabella Hazan
Shay Shitrit
Yehuda HaKohen
Shye Klein
Inon Dan Kehati
YEHUDA HAKOHEN
Educator, Founder of The Vision Movement
Rav Yehuda HaKohen is a prominent figure in the West Bank, known for his role as a Jewish organizer and educator. As founder of The Vision movement, he passionately guides students to become not just observers, but active shapers of Judaism. He fosters a deep understanding of the complexities that define the current chapter of Jewish history.
Through grassroots dialogue sessions, he brings together Palestinians and Israelis, aiming to transcend the limitations of one-sided narratives and embrace a more nuanced, scientifically informed perspective on the forces that drive conflict and bridge divides.
Since the horrific events of October 7th, continuing the dialogue sessions and meetups with neighboring Palestinians has become increasingly difficult, as concerns about community perceptions loom large. He grapples with the uncertainty of whether the participants from both sides will return, due to personal reluctance and societal pressures. Yehuda maintains correspondence with some Palestinians, but there’s a lot of work ahead to resume face-to-face dialogue.
Despite these obstacles, Yehuda remains undeterred. Through Yehuda's story, we’ll delve into the complexities of post-conflict dynamics and the resilience required to forge paths towards understanding and unity.
NOA REUVENI
Activist, Friend of Hostages Ziv & Gali Berman
Noa is a 25-year-old Israeli living in the Gaza Envelope, leading a life far from typical for most women her age. She is best friends with Ziv, who has a twin brother named Gali. On October 7th, Ziv and Gali were among the 240 hostages taken captive by Hamas into Gaza. Since then, Noa has put her studies and work life on hold to dedicate all her time and efforts to advocating for the release of the hostages. Through her involvement in Bouquets Of Hope, she has helped raise nearly one million dollars for the Hostage Families Forum.
In the coming months, Noa plans to continue her advocacy work, build up Bouquets of Hope in Israel and internationally, and stay updated on negotiations and ceasefires related to the hostages. However, the potential outcomes for Ziv and Gali weigh heavily on her mind. If they are not freed and don’t make it back alive, Noa's life could drastically change.
Noa has expressed that she "wakes up and breathes" for Ziv and Gali, even at the expense of her mental health. She feels guilty doing anything for herself, including going to the beach, and may be suffering from PTSD due to the stress and trauma of the situation. Despite the noble nature of her cause, Noa is risking her future, career, and mental well-being to bring the hostages home.
The impact of Noa's activism on her parents and her plans regarding school and work are also significant aspects of her story. Her dynamic journey and the challenges she faces will be followed closely as she continues her mission.
Noa has also been featured on i24 News segments discussing the hostage situation, bringing attention to the plight of her friends Ziv and Gali. You can watch one of her interviews here.
HAMZA HOWIDY
Palestinian Peace activist
Hamza Howidy was born and raised in Gaza under the Hamas regime. Despite this, Hamza courageously spoke out against Hamas by participating in the ‘We want to live’ protests in Gaza in the summer of 2023.
Hamza was jailed twice for both protests he took part in. He lived in inhumane conditions while in prison and was tortured daily by his captors. Hamza’s family was able to pay a bribe to Hamas and he was released from prison.
Hamza made the decision to flee Gaza and escaped to Egypt by way of the Rafah crossing. From there, he was able to travel to Turkey after being granted a visa during his stay in Egypt. Hamza was transported from Turkey to Greece via an illegal migrant boat and made his way to Germany subsequently thereafter.
Hamza’s parents are in the process of fleeing to Germany as well. However they’re currently stuck in Egypt and are being denied a visa into Greece. Hamza hopes to be able to welcome his family into Germany soon but doesn’t know what the reality of their situation looks like.
Hamza has recently made waves after penning an opinion piece for Newsweek, (another piece Hamza wrote at the beginning of 2024 can be found here) where he expressed how the college campus pro-Palestine protests have been doing more harm than good for the Palestinian cause. He’s also made appearances on CNN, News Nation and other media outlets spreading his pragmatic message of peace and accountability on both sides.
SHYE KLEIN
Photographer, Nova Music Festival Survivor
Shye Klein is a 27-year-old Canadian-Israeli photographer and dual citizen who grew up in Toronto, Canada. Shye's passion for photography began in his teenage years, starting with concert and event photography, which fueled his love for capturing life’s energy. His unique approach combines a deep love for art and the principles of photojournalism, enabling him to capture moments with a distinctive perspective that blends creativity and authenticity. Through his lens, he has developed strong connections with his subjects, photographing a diverse range of people, from models and actors to notable figures like Col. Chris Hadfield, former ISS commander.
On October 7, 2023, Shye survived the attack by Hamas on the Supernova music festival in Re'im, Israel. Since that day, he has been dedicated to raising awareness about the event and standing against antisemitism through his work and storytelling.
YSABELLA HAZAN
Jewish Rights Activist
Ysabella Hazan is a Canadian activist and the founder of Decolonized Judean, a movement centered on Jewish pride and empowerment. Her initiative seeks to educate people about Judaism from a uniquely Jewish perspective.
Since October 7th, Ysabella has become increasingly vocal and active, leveraging her large social media following to redefine what it means to be unapologetically Jewish.
INON DAN KEHATI
Founder and Chairman, HaBayit
Inon was born in Israel, and is a descendant from a Yemeni-Ashkenazi Jewish family.
His Yemenite grandfather traveled from the Arabian Peninsula to Jerusalem on donkeys, and was the president of the Yemenite community in Jerusalem and one of the land redeemers (“Geulat Adamot”) in Israel during the British Mandate, before the establishment of the State of Israel.
Inon founded HaBayit in 2014. Since the beginning of his activism, Inon has initiated and implemented hundreds of meetings, activities, and political conferences with thousands of participants to effectively change the discourse between Jews and Palestinians.
SHAY SHITRIT
Olim Hadashim Instructor, Masa Counselor
Shay Shitrit, a young professional from Tel Aviv, brings a unique blend of passion and complexity to her role at Masa, an organization dedicated to immersive experiences in Israel. Hailing from Safed near the Lebanon border, Shay's journey is marked by personal conflict and deep introspection.
Despite her anti-gun stance, Shay acknowledges the sobering necessity of firearms in Israel's security landscape and is a trained weapons instructor in Israel’s army. This duality reflects the dichotomy many Israelis hold, including Shay's own feelings about the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Additionally, Shay carries the weight of loss, having experienced the tragic passing of a close friend at the Nova festival. Her feelings of guilt for not staying connected in the months leading up to the tragic event have changed her forever. She is committed to advocating for change when it comes to Israel’s policies and government.
Looking ahead, Shay's potential call into reserves adds a layer of anticipation. While not on the front lines in Gaza, her experiences and insights from this unique vantage point promise to shed light on the realities faced by Israelis navigating the complexities of their homeland. We’ll keep an eye on Shay as she navigates her convictions, personal growth, and contributions to a brighter future for Israel and its people.