Israel-Hamas War: Women share stories, strength on Instagram

• Published date: 13 March 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The inspiration to create the initiative came from a connection formed by the war, initiative creator and manager Shifra Soloveichik explained. "My husband was called to reserve duty on October 7, and I posted on Instagram that night about being scared. Another Israeli woman, whose husband had also been called to reserves, messaged me saying that it was scary, but that we will get through it. A few days later I found out that her husband had been killed, even before she sent that message," Soloveichik said

When Soloveichik reached out to tell her how sorry she was to hear about her husband's death, the woman told Soloveichik to "tell the world how amazing [her husband] was." At the funeral, Soloveichik remembers paying attention to what she said about her fallen husband, and how she said it.

"Seeing the immense bravery and strength of her and other women is what got me through my feelings of hopelessness and that the world was ending," said Soloveichik.

Inspired by other women's strength

"Seeing other women be strong makes me feel like I can be strong too. I want all Jewish women to be able to tap into that as well. In Israel we experience crazy fear and horror but also unity and togetherness and community. I wanted to make that accessible to Jewish women who are abroad and don't have that," Soloveichik said.

To give other women access to this feeling, Soloveichik is sharing the...