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THE ATTACK ON ISRAEL
October 7th, 2023
BROKE ME
The SILENCE of my “Friends”
Devastated Me
The World’s Protests and Celebrations
Horrified Me
And So I Came Back
To Tell the Stories of Who They Were
and Who We Are
In Her Own Words: Mother of Piano Player Alon Ohel Describes Her Reality as a 'Hostage Mom' and Calls on World Jewry to Keep Israel What it Was Meant to Be and Must Continue to Be
This is the story of Alon Ohel, based on my interview with his mother in Israel in February. I heard Alon's piano playing on the news...
Melanie Preston
Jun 7, 202417 min read
Hamas Bamboozles the West Through its "Ruse" of Accepting a Ceasefire on Holocaust Remembrance Day
For Israelis and those of us paying attention, today's move by Hamas was predictable. On the day Israel dropped its flyers in Arabic into...
Melanie Preston
May 7, 20246 min read
Be'eri Seder in Hostage Square, Hersh Hostage Video Release and the Twisting Tunnels of my Mind on this Passover Like no Other
We are bound in our love for each other and our rich past, entwined in our current struggles and standing as one in a vow for our future.
Melanie Preston
Apr 25, 20248 min read
As Their Posters Fade, Our Resolve Does Not
Six months ago yesterday, 133 people woke up on a fairly normal Thursday. Some were up with the sun practicing yoga, while others made...
Melanie Preston
Apr 7, 20244 min read
Shani Louk: A Legacy of Compassion, Love and Art
On February 7th, Shani Louk would have celebrated her 23rd birthday. Instead, her family and friends gathered at a reception for the...
Melanie Preston
Feb 14, 20246 min read
Inside Israel's Hostage Crisis: Michael Levy’s Heroic Battle to Rescue his Brother from Hamas Captivity
Michael said he would get Or home - even if he had to turn the world upside down - and Michael did it - with the help of countless miracles.
Melanie Preston
Jan 30, 202417 min read
How my Heart has Been Breaking Through this Project of Mine, into 136 Families' Worlds
It had seemed like such a good idea, after 37 days of tears by myself in Charlotte. The families of the hostages had been on every...
Melanie Preston
Jan 16, 202412 min read
Fearful of Large Hezbollah Attack; Ha Tikva in Hostage Square; Ringing in 2024 With Rockets Over my Head
On Saturday night I walked from Jaffa in South Tel Aviv to Hostage Square, which took about an hour. I needed to meet the brother of one...
Melanie Preston
Jan 4, 20247 min read
Letter from a Fallen Soldier to his Parents; Murder of American-Israeli Hostage Judy Weinstein Confirmed
"Dear Mom and Dad, I love you very much. I chose this path myself. I've lived a good and interesting life. Nevertheless, I have never...
Melanie Preston
Dec 28, 20236 min read
Day 68 of a War that is Now Clearly on Multiple Fronts
Something unknown by many abroad but well-known in Israel is that as horrific as the October 7th terror attack on Israel was, with 1400...
Melanie Preston
Dec 13, 202310 min read
Incoming Rocket Sirens Blare on Highway; Forced to Exit Vehicle and Duck; Taking on Hamas
It's important to keep a routine as best as possible in Israel, despite the prevalence and randomness of sirens going off, and it was...
Melanie Preston
Dec 9, 20239 min read
An Unplanned Tale as Day One of Hanukkah Lands on Two Months Since October 7th
I feel the weight of the old man's story, which is really the story of Israel, and the weight we all feel, as the tension won't relent and t
Melanie Preston
Dec 8, 20234 min read
Details on Gaza's Hostages Emerge; Why I Came to Israel During a War; My Mission
On October 7th, I woke up in Charlotte, North Carolina and went to the Piedmont Farmer’s Market, which has become my weekly tradition on...
Melanie Preston
Dec 6, 20239 min read
Tonight's Incoming Rocket Siren Freaked Me Out
When I made the decision to come to Israel during a war, I knew I would be hearing sirens. It's part and parcel for living here, but...
Melanie Preston
Dec 3, 20234 min read
Children Released from Hamas Speak in Whispers; Terror Attack in Jerusalem
The past week has been surreal, with human beings stolen from their homes or a party to rot in dark tunnels for seven endless weeks -...
Melanie Preston
Dec 1, 20235 min read
A Day of Suspense Ends in Joy as the Clock Strikes 12
Delay in Hostage Release Causes Stress but Cannot Puncture Spirit Last night we in Israel heard the first sigh of relief in 49 days with...
Melanie Preston
Nov 26, 20233 min read
Nerves on Edge before "Deal with Hamas"
Trepidation takes hold of Israeli society on eve of potential release of women and children. When I woke up this morning in Tel Aviv and...
Melanie Preston
Nov 23, 20233 min read
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