Once a year Lion of Judah Israel holds an annual conference. This year we focused, of course, on war and resilience.

The conference was opened by Iris Haim, the mother of Yotam, one of the three hostages who were accidentally killed by IDF forces. Iris gave an inspirational talk, providing an example of coping and personal resilience.

On the panel about the media and information, we heard Col. Shlomit Miller, the deputy IDF Spokesperson and right-hand to IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari; Chen Zander, News 13 reporter who lost her sister at the Nova party; Orli Finkelman, who founded a special informational outreach project “Recruiting the Sympathy of the World” and Yael Wetzler, a reporter for Yedioth Ahronot and “Ynet” who covers the reservists.

It was empowering, exciting and interesting to hear each of them.

A member of our organization, Varda Ben Baruch, lit candles in prayer for the return of all the hostages and for the recovery of all our wounded soldiers. And member Michal Peleg Yerushalmi gave us an experiential resilience workshop.

We hosted strong women from Ofakim, who told us about their terrible experience on 7/10 and their struggle, and the artist Ofra Eyal from the Gaza Perimeter, who presented her special works and the book that will be released soon.

At the end, we all released yellow balloons into the air, with a blessing and a wish for the safe return of all the hostages.

Thank you to the LOJI board and the Events Committee for organizing this very special event held at the luxurious Herzliya Herod’s Hotel.