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, Yehuda has faced significant challenges. 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 some cordial correspondence with some Palestinians, but there’s a lot of work ahead to resume face-to-face dialogue.
Despite these obstacles, Yehuda remains undeterred. His determination to reach out and bring people together for meaningful and constructive conversation is unwavering. As a documentary team, we’re committed to capturing the realities of Yehuda's post-10.7 journey, shedding light on the hurdles and impact this war has caused on his mission for reconciliation. 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.
The future of The Vision Movement hinges on Yehuda’s ability to navigate these challenges and maintain talks between conflicting parties. Cameras will track to see whether or not Yehuda will be successful.
Noa Reuveni
Activist
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
Peace activist, Accountant
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.
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.
Jesse Liss
Operations Manager
Jesse Liss is a Canadian Jew residing in Toronto. Jesse graduated from York University where he majored in Philosophy with a focus on Ethics. He’s an Operations Manager with experience in the international fine art industry as well as education.
Since then, he has spent his time immersed in the study and analysis of Israel and volunteering at organizations such as the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
Jesse is also a student of Yehuda Hakohen and is closely aligned with the Vision Movement.
Jesse plans on offering his insight and wisdom to ‘How did We Get Here’ as a source of information inregard to the current political climate in Canada centered around Jewry and anti-Israel sentiment.
Jesse plans on making Aliyah within the next few years and believes all diaspora Jews should be ready to go to Israel at any moment, if the situation calls for it- that’s why he has a go bag at the ready.
Rochelle Marshall
Volunteer and a Pro Israel Activist
Rochelle Marshall from Monroe, NY. After October 7th, Rochelle felt a duty to be on the ground in Israel volunteering, but was told that she had exceeded the age limit. After protesting the decision, Sar-El accepted her application and she was in Israel - only several miles from the Gaza border - just two months after the attack.
While volunteering, she was interviewed by Israeli news channel i24 reporting on diaspora Jews coming into the country from abroad in support of Israel. She proudly displayed a bit of her ‘manicure’ for the reporters in a now viral video on social media. "This one is for the Red Cross, and this one is for the UN, and they deserve it," she stated firmly.
Rochelle continues to be an advocate for Israel and flies large Israeli flags outside of her home in a show of solidarity and hopes to be back to Israel on another program volunteering as soon as possible.
Throughout the next few months, Rochelle plans to continue being an outspoken advocate for Israel within her community, which is growing in its anti-Israel stance. Rochelle wants to go to Israel and volunteer again, as soon as an opportunity presents itself.