The horrific events of Oct. 7 have shaken the Jewish community globally, but for students at Heschel, the impact feels deeply personal. With many students tied to Israel through family, culture, and identity, the war has become more than just a distant geopolitical conflict; it has turned into a painful and intimate experience. In these challenging times, Jewish youth groups like Me’ever, BBYO, and the Israeli Scouts (Tzofim) provide critical spaces for students to process, connect, and take action.

Me’ever, known for its focus on advocacy and dialogue, has helped some Heschel students channel their feelings into meaningful action. Senior Elie Douer, a Me’ever participant, shared how the movement reshaped his sense of purpose. “The movement taught me the skills I would need to be a leader in other communities important to my identity, like the Sephardic community, the clubs I lead, the Heschel community, or the Jewish community as a whole,” he said. “Before the war, it felt like an extracurricular I had to do. Now, I feel a personal responsibility because I see the impact it has.” 

Douer described how Me’ever’s philosophy emphasizes youth-driven change. “Throughout history, change has always been carried out through the youth,” he said. “After the start of the war, Me’ever became especially important to me because of all the antisemitism and protests in the city. It gave me the opportunity to teach younger Jews how to lead, stand up for Israel, and feel confident in their Jewish identity.”

For students like senior Aerin Levine, BBYO has been a source of collective healing and connection to Israel. “It shows me the power of communal healing and finding silver linings amidst traumatic times,” said Levine. “It has also strengthened my desire to deepen my connection with my people.”

Aerin’s BBYO chapter’s initiatives have bridged the gap between local teens and those directly affected by the war. “We’ve buddied with Israeli chapters, held reflective programming, and organized fundraisers for Israel,” she said. For her and others, BBYO has turned grief into action, allowing students to feel part of a larger global effort. 

For students closely tied to Israeli culture, Tzofim offered familiarity and solidarity throughout the war. “Now more than ever, it’s brought us together and created a sense of family,” said sophomore Ben Gilad. “Tzofim has grown a lot in numbers since the war because it’s a place where we can group together. It’s affected my life so much, bringing me happiness and community amidst this tragedy.”

However, not everyone has found solace. Senior Yotam Sabo, another participant in Tzofim, expressed a more conflicted view. “Being here in America, away from my family and people actually going through the war, I feel isolated,” he shared. “Tzofim hasn’t eased my anxiety. It’s given me a community, but it hasn’t made me feel less worried–it just makes me feel supported while I sit behind the glass, watching.”