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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


Hersh - Carmel - Alex - Almog - Eden - Ori
The cursor has been blinking below these six names and faces. I haven't known where to begin because there are so many emotions swirling,...

Melanie Preston
Sep 3, 202411 min read


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
This is the story of Alon Ohel, based on my interview with his mother in Israel in February of 2024. I heard Alon's piano playing on the...

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


Shani Louk: A Legacy of Compassion, Love and Art
As I watched the young people at this beautiful event celebrating Shani through her artwork, I could only imagine their struggle to cope with such trauma - not just from the loss of Shani's incredible love and spirit - but to have to come to terms with her violent end.

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


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


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 5, 20239 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
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