Jewish Federations had organized the Pride mission to deepen the bonds between North American and Israeli LGBTQ+ communities, but also to help heal a wound that has been festering in our community since the October 7th attacks nearly 2 years ago.
At 11:30 p.m. on June 12, I went to bed thinking our 2025 Pride Mission to Israel was complete. Nearly 100 LGBTQ+ Jews had just concluded an unforgettable week—the first Federation-organized delegation of its kind in nearly a decade. By 3:00 a.m., the sirens changed everything. What began as a joyous celebration turned into an emergency evacuation under the shadow of war with Iran.