Terri Bonoff’s Message for Passover 2026

I was blessed to be among the 22 JWC Atlanta women who were on an Israel trip when the recent war broke out. My relationship to Israel and to my Jewishness has been transformed as a result of those days spent in and out of our safe room as well as the harrowing excursion we undertook to evacuate out of Egypt. I fell in love with the heart-beating strength of spirit that awakens among the people who call Israel home.

When the words spoken by Ambassador Huckabee, “Americans in Israel should leave TODAY” ran across my news feed, my heart sank. What we feared when we said yes to the trip now seemed certain. We were immersed in preparing for Shabbat at the time. We were overlooking the Old City on a brief tour and then were free to roam through the Shuk before everything shut down. There was clearly NO WAY to leave TODAY! I was struck by the unfortunate timing of the Ambassador’s message, when same-day flights no longer were available.

However, I do understand that telegraphing plans of war is unwise.

Three of us altered our travel plans and booked flights for Saturday morning. The others were planning to go late Saturday, Sunday, or even Monday. We arrived at Ben Gurion at 8 a.m. to a very quiet airport. We got through security and were in process with Passport Control when the sirens blared. We quickly learned that Israel had bombed Iran and war had broken out. G-d was with us as we miraculously were able to secure a taxi and arrive back at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem at the moment the next sirens went off. We joined our sister travelers in the safe room and understood just how special it was to be together — connected as “Voices of Courage” as our journey was titled.

The following days were a blur, navigating between time in and out of safe rooms, yet enveloped by the love of our shared connection. The story of Esther was front and center as we confronted what it would take to exit our bubble of safety and courageously try to make our way home. Thanks to JFNA, Julie, Batsheva, and Israeli angels we boarded a bus at 1 a.m., Wednesday, and not a siren went off between then and when we arrived early am in Taba, Egypt. Once again,-G-d protected. I have written the full story of our group’s experience, and this is but an excerpt. For this word limited purpose, I will close with this — I am interwoven with the Jews of the world. We stand in strength and solidarity. Happy Pesach to all — may peace prevail.

Terri Bonoff is the CEO Emeritus of Jewish Family & Career Services.