A diverse group of Jewish Israelis spent a transformative Shabbat with Kesher Yehudi, moving from initial discomfort with being unplugged to deep connection, spiritual uplift, and conversations that opened their hearts to Shabbat in a new way.

October 7 shattered long held assumptions about Israeli identity and revealed the limits of a purely secular or civic framework. In the aftermath, many Israelis are turning to Jewish faith, emunah, and tradition as an organic source of strength, meaning, and renewed collective identity.

Rabbi Yisrael Goldwasser recounts how the pain of hostage families awakened deep spiritual strength, as they turned to prayer and tradition in search of hope. Their journeys reveal the quiet persistence of the Jewish soul.

Tzili Schneider founded Kesher Yehudi to bridge divides between secular and religious Jews through one-on-one chavruta learning and shared experiences like Shabbat. With over 16,000 participants and countless stories of healing and connection, the movement is transforming Israeli society through curiosity, respect, and a shared connection to Torah.

Through the vision of Tzili Schneider, hostages’ families and Jews from every background embraced Shabbos, brought a sefer Torah to life, and witnessed the return of the missing with renewed faith.