Y. comes from a family of fighters, a relative on her grandfather's side was a Palmach fighter who helped pave the way for women to the Israel Air Force. Growing up hearing her relative's stories, Y. knew from a young age that she would enlist in the IDF. "I'll be proud to continue her legacy," she says.
Y. says she has always loved Israel and felt she belonged here. "It was my dream to come to Israel."
Nineteen years old, Y. grew up in New York and made aliyah by herself last August as part of the Garin Tzabar program. She is assisted by the Lone Soldier Center – In Memory of Michael Levin. After her kibbutz was evacuated in the wake of the brutal Oct. 7 attack, her group moved to Kibbutz Degania Aleph near the Kinneret. She did her basic training at Michve Alon base and was placed in military intelligence.
"In high school, I went to a public school in Brooklyn. It was a very large school and I encountered a lot of anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment there. In my classes, I spoke a lot about Israel and presented the side that people don't often see. I felt that because people don't see what's really happening and don't understand, they have a mistaken view of Israel. I understood that I had a duty to speak more about Israel, and to be the voice for the country. I've always felt it's something I'm good at – explaining and advocacy. It's my mission – to speak up for Israel."
From a young age, Y. visited Israel several times. With each visit, her love for the country and understanding that she would one day immigrate there grew stronger. "My parents didn't like the idea. They wanted me to go to university like my sisters. I do plan to study at university – but in Israel. I'm staying here."
