The Brave Girls

In the summer of 2025, nine female IDF soldiers stepped onto American soil carrying scars few could see and stories few could bear to tell. Eight were from Kissufim and one from Nahal Oz — military bases forever marked by the tragedy of October 7, 2023. On that morning, these women stood watch at their posts, never imagining the horror that would unfold.

For most, the San Diego retreat was their first reunion since that day. They carried grief, survivor’s guilt, and the weight of memories that had never been fully spoken. But in the safety of the retreat — surrounded by therapists, volunteers, and each other — they began to share what they had held inside for nearly two years.

The retreat marked a milestone for Jewmanity and Heads Up: the first time the program welcomed an all-female group. The experience reinforced what the organizers had always believed — that healing happens through connection, and that every person who served deserves the chance to be seen, heard, and supported.