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Hi Reader
This week we passed 1,000 days since October 7th. I'd been dreading that number for weeks, because reaching it means admitting how long we've all been carrying this. A thousand days of a war that reshaped everything, of antisemitism climbing to levels none of us have seen in our lifetimes, of watching the news with our stomachs in knots.
And then last night, right on the heels of it, this happened.
Sasha Trufanov and Sapir Cohen got married. Both survived Hamas captivity in Gaza. Sapir was held 55 days. She wasn't truly free, though, until Sasha came home after 498 days. Last night, they stood under the chuppah surrounded by family, friends, former hostages, and President Herzog, and they chose each other. Love over darkness. Life over death. That's not a metaphor. That's just what happened in Israel last night, and I got to watch it unfold in real time on my phone from summer camp in the US, crying into my coffee like everyone else.
A thousand days later, we still remember every name. Every face. Every family that was changed forever. And now we also have a wedding to hold onto. Both things are true at the same time. That's Israel.
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From The Ground
I'm writing this one from camp, not from Israel, which feels strange to say out loud. But even from here, with a schedule board of swim times and hockey tournaments taped to my wall, my phone doesn't stop buzzing with what's happening back home. That's the thing about this community. Distance doesn't actually create distance. I've had counselors here ask me about hostages by name. That's the reach of what we've built together.
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THE WEDDING THAT CLOSED A CIRCLE
โSasha and Sapir said "I do"
Sasha Trufanov and Sapir Cohen were married last night, both survivors of Hamas captivity. Sapir held 55 days, Sasha held 498. Surrounded by former hostages and President Herzog, they became the ultimate answer to everything October 7th tried to take from us. Mazel tov doesn't feel like a big enough word, but it's the one I've got. ๐
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๐บ๐ฌ ENTEBBE, 50 YEARS LATER: A hostage went back to the place he was held
Rabbi Dov Ber Gilbert Weil of Antwerp was one of the hostages rescued in the Entebbe raid. Fifty years later, he returned to Uganda with his family and stood at the exact spot where he was held. He broke down and recited the blessing for a miracle that happened in that very place. The raid happened the night of July 4th, 1976, led by Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, who along with three hostages didn't make it home. Fifty years on, one of the men he saved went back to say thank you.
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THE UNIT NO ONE SEES, DOING THE WORK THAT MATTERS MOST: Forensic dentists get the recognition they've earned.
President Herzog presented Israel Police's forensic dentistry unit with a citation of merit this week, telling them, "You are the hidden light of Israel, doing the most important work and seeing the worst circumstances every day." This is the team that identified October 7th victims when no other method could. They were part of Operation Brave Heart, the mission that brought home Ran Gvili hy"d, the last hostage recovered from Gaza. Quiet work. Enormous impact. Last week, they finally got seen. ๐ฏ๏ธ
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THE TRAILS ARE OPEN AGAIN: Nature reserves across the north just reopened
Following updated Home Front Command guidelines, every national park and nature reserve across northern Israel is welcoming visitors again. Just in time for summer vacation. If you needed a sign to book that hike you've been putting off, this is it. ๐ฅพ
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NOT AI. JUST REALLY GOOD ICE CREAM: Ben & Jerry's Israel launched a flavor with its own story
Now independent from its US parent company, Ben & Jerry's Israel released "Milk and Honey," made with milk and cream from southern Israeli dairies, including Kibbutz Alumim, which was attacked on October 7th, and honey from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai. The chocolate fudge pieces are shaped like Stars of David, handmade at a Beersheba factory that employs people facing barriers to work. Every scoop is doing something good. ๐ฆ
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๐ฎ๐ฑ ALIYAH IS UP, AND THE WHY IS THE STORY: More young families and professionals are choosing Israel
22,522 new immigrants arrived in Israel in 2025. The total dipped slightly, but immigration from the US, France, UK, and Canada jumped 25% year over year. Western immigrants now make up 38% of all aliyah, up from 21% the year before. French Jewry led with a 51% increase, and 34% of all immigrants last year were between 18 and 35. People are voting with their lives, and they're voting for here.
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SHOWING UP FOR VENEZUELA: Israeli rescue teams headed to the earthquake zone
A combined team of Home Front Command veterans and private Israeli rescue companies has deployed to Venezuela's earthquake zone, with more rescuers expected to follow. Doesn't matter where the need is. This is what we do.
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โจ Site Spotlight โจ
๐ฎ๐ฑ ME'ARAT HAMACHPELA: We waited 20 years for this roof ๐ฎ๐ฑ
For decades, hundreds of thousands of worshippers at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, the resting place of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, prayed under torn tarps. In the rain, in the snow, under a blazing sun. After 20 years of red tape, a world class engineering project finally gave one of our holiest sites the roof it deserves. This closes a historic circle. The place where our story began is finally getting the honor it earned. If you haven't been, you have to go. When I'm back in Israel, we'll go together.
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Sam Kramer
โFounder, Israel Good News Only
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