She struggled to understand how to pay for a bus in Jerusalem. "On the light rail and Israel Railways I understood immediately how it works," she recounted. "But on the buses I got confused." The smile didn't fade even when she shared that she received a ticket. One hundred shekels. "Not a lot of money," she said. "But it still surprised me."

Strengthening defense lines in Israel

This is what a first meeting with Berenson looks like. Behind the smile and lightness stands a long personal story that led her from a young American Catholic – through a deep spiritual search – to founding an organization seeking to strengthen Israel's civilian defense lines.

Berenson grew up Catholic in the United States. Her first connection to Judaism was not born from politics or study, but through a youthful relationship. A mutual friend told her one day that the boy she had a crush on was Jewish. When she asked him about it, he became very angry. "He was really offended that they told me," she recalled. "I didn't understand what the problem was at all."

At home, the story passed quietly. "My dad told me it was just a different religion and that's it." But for her, something opened up. For the first time, she was also exposed to old antisemitic statements, ones she had never heard before. "It confused me," she said. "I didn't understand why it even mattered."

"It shook me"

The next significant moment came at university. During one of the courses, she was told for the first time that Jesus was Jewish. "It shocked me," she admits. "I grew up on stories and children's Bible stories, but no one ever told me that." This shock led her to investigate. "They told us to research Jesus, so I researched. The investigation led me to Judaism." It wasn't a sharp transition or dramatic declaration, but a long, intellectual and spiritual process, she said. "The more I learned, the more I understood that what I was looking for was there."

She completed the conversion itself while her mother was still alive in 2023. Only years later, at age 51, after her mother's passing, came a revelation that shook her anew. During family genealogy research, it became clear to her that she comes from an originally Jewish family, without the family members themselves knowing it. "It was a hair-raising moment," she recounted. "Suddenly my entire connection to Judaism took on a completely different color. Not just a choice, but also roots."

The events of October 7 were a turning point for her. "It wasn't just another news event," she said. "It was a moment when I understood you can't stay on the sidelines." Her connection to Israel, she says, is both emotional and historical. Berenson believes Israel has a historical right in Judea and Samaria, and sees Gaza as a complex security arena forced upon the state. But above all, she speaks about the people. "Emergency response teams are Israel's first line of defense," she said. "If we don't strengthen them, we won't be prepared."

Heroes of Israel

From this understanding, Heroes for Israel Project was born, an American nonprofit organization seeking to translate solidarity into action. Most of the organization's activity focuses on fundraising to strengthen emergency response teams in the field. The funds are designated for financing professional training, purchasing cameras and surveillance equipment, protective gear, first aid kits and other essential equipment, as well as upgrading basic security infrastructure in communities near the borders. From Berenson's perspective, emergency response teams are the state's first line of defense, and investment in them is not a luxury but an immediate security need.

Alongside her great love for Israel, Berenson doesn't spare criticism of the political system. "I really don't understand how 120 Knesset members can't listen to each other and cooperate. You see it from the outside." According to her, the internal division also projected weakness to enemies. "I tell Americans all the time, we need to be one people. Because in the end, the first ones attacked are the Jews. Always."

She also had a clear position on what's happening at universities in the United States. "The young people are good people," she emphasized. "They want equality, they accept everyone, they love everyone." The problem, she says, is not with them but with the system above them. "There are professors and foreign elements interfering, who insert hatred and racism under the guise of justice."

Berenson doesn't see herself as a politician. She sees herself as someone who acts, who connects, who strengthens. Perhaps that's why even a small ticket on a Jerusalem bus couldn't bring down her smile. "I'm here because this is my people's home," she said. "And if it's home, you need to protect it."

The post Spiritual search, conversion, and Oct. 7: How a pro-Israel advocate was born appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Within the Schengen Zone, where crossing from country to country typically occurs without passport checks, member states may temporarily restore supervision of internal borders in cases of security threats, terrorism, serious crime, or extraordinary migration pressure.

In recent years, and particularly against the backdrop of wars, terrorism, and illegal migration, more and more countries have chosen to exercise this option – and the situation is expected to continue into early and mid-2026. According to official announcements, the inspections are expected to remain in effect until June 2026, depending on the country.

These are the countries that will enforce border inspections:

Austria

Against the backdrop of illegal migration through the Balkans and pressure on the reception system.

In effect: December 16, 2025 – until June 15, 2026

Expected checks at borders with Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovenia.

Slovenia

Preparation for security threats, organized crime, and mass-participation events in Europe.

In effect: December 22, 2025 – until June 21, 2026

Possible delays at crossings from Croatia and Hungary.

Italy

Concern about terrorism, exploitation of migration routes, and preparation for major events like the Jubilee Year and the Olympics.

In effect: December 19, 2025 – until June 18, 2026

Inspections at entry from Slovenia.

Netherlands

Extraordinary pressure from asylum seekers and smuggling network activity.

In effect: December 9, 2025 – until June 8, 2026

Checks at borders with Belgium and Germany, and also at some airports.

Denmark

Concern about sabotage operations, terrorism, and organized crime against the backdrop of global tensions.

In effect: November 12, 2025 – until May 11, 2026

Inspections primarily toward Germany.

Norway

Protection of energy infrastructure and concern about foreign intelligence activity.

In effect: November 12, 2025 – until May 11, 2026

Checks at ports and on ferries.

Sweden

Rise in organized crime and threats from extremist groups.

In effect: November 12, 2025 – until May 11, 2026

Checks also on flights and at crossings from Denmark.

France

Terror threats, rise in antisemitic incidents, and smuggling from the northern border.

In effect: November 1, 2025 – until April 30, 2026

Checks on land, in the air, and at sea.

Poland

Migration pressure from the Belarus border and intensification of illegal crossings toward Germany.

In effect: October 5, 2025 – until April 4, 2026

Germany

Heavy burden of illegal migration and smuggling networks, alongside security tensions.

In effect: September 16, 2025 – until March 15, 2026

Checks at borders with nearly all its neighbors.

Important to know before traveling

Border inspections don't mean crossings are closed; rather, they allow authorities to conduct spot checks. Nevertheless, travelers need to prepare:

• Carry a passport or identification document at every crossing
• Account for delays, especially at land crossings
• Stay updated on guidelines before and during travel

Authorities emphasize these are temporary measures, expected to be canceled later in 2026 – but until then, free movement in Europe will be somewhat less free.

The post Europe's open borders shrink as nations tighten control appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

In his remarks, Minns said, "Bondi is beautiful tonight – and not because of its beaches. It is beautiful because you, in your thousands, came back here just seven days after a horrific crime and made it clear to the terrorists that we are not going anywhere. The crime was meant to frighten and scatter, but you have stood against these attempts at intimidation for thousands of years. Tonight, on the last night of Hanukkah, you have returned Bondi Beach to all of us."

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon announced that police presence would be increased in the area, and that heavily armed officers would patrol the beach and its surroundings as part of Operation Shelter. He said this was not an elevation of the security alert level, but rather a step designed to ensure public safety and public confidence. Lanyon emphasized that police were aware of the depth of the trauma caused by the tragedy to Jewish families and the broader community, and that its purpose was to enable the public to gather, honor the memory of the victims, and support each other without fear. Indeed, many police officers were observed, and snipers from security forces were even seen on rooftops near the location.

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