On October 6th, 2023, Rebecca received a call from Birthright inviting her to staff an upcoming trip in December. She was thrilled at the opportunity to return to Israel and share the experience with a new group of young adults visiting for the first time. But the very next day, October 7th, tragedy struck—and everything changed. It soon became clear that the trip she had been so excited about would likely be canceled. A few weeks later, as feelings of helplessness grew, both Rebecca and Benjy received emails about the Onward Birthright volunteer program. Though initially hesitant to travel to Israel during wartime, they knew deep in their hearts that this was a mission they had to be part of—especially as proud Zionists living in the diaspora. They joined one of the first Onward Birthright volunteer cohorts, made up of participants from across North America and Europe. At the time, Benjy was living in Miami and Rebecca was in Montreal. From the very first night, they hit it off—playfully teasing each other about their favorite (and rival) hockey teams. The next morning, fate had even more in store for them: they were assigned to work side by side on the assembly line at Pitchon Lev, an organization that would soon become very close to their hearts. Pitchon Lev—which means “Opening the Heart”—supports Israelis living below the poverty line. After the war broke out, the organization expanded its efforts, helping not only families in need, but also displaced communities, front-line soldiers, and the families of reservists. Every morning, they reported to the warehouse in Rishon LeZion to pack boxes of food, non-perishables, and essential supplies for those who needed them most. By the end of their two-week journey, they made the decision to stay together—despite the distance between them. After many visits—Benjy to Montreal, and Rebecca to Miami—they realized they were meant for each other. In the midst of heartbreak and hardship, they found something beautiful.