Visiting the Nova festival site and the memorial at the former Sderot police station profoundly reshaped how I understand Jewish identity and our responsibility as educators in UK Jewish schools. I expected to confront trauma; what I did not expect was how deeply the stories of courage, resilience, and faith would impact me.
At Nova, I walked among memorials and photographs of young people who came simply to celebrate life. The contrast between joy and the horror that followed was overwhelming. Yet I sensed extraordinary spiritual strength. Many messages spoke of Hashem’s presence even in darkness, of a belief that Am Yisrael endures through both history and faith. I thought of our students in the UK, many unsettled by rising antisemitism, and reflected on how we help them develop Jewish identities, grounded not only in culture or community, but in faith, something that steadies the soul when the world feels uncertain.
The former Sderot police station added another layer of reflection. I saw images of the building before the attack and the burnt-out remains. Today, a memorial stands there, surrounded by graffiti-style artwork capturing bravery and loss. Even without the ruins, the site conveyed the instinct to rebuild, honour, and affirm life.
What stayed with me most were the stories of individual heroism: police officers defending their town, and young people risking their lives to save both friends and strangers. I also thought of the returned hostages whose testimonies I have heard, so many speak of a deep connection to Hashem that carried them through the unimaginable. Emunah, I realised, is not abstract; it is lived, felt, and discovered in moments of fear and uncertainty.
Together, these experiences revealed the dual reality at the heart of Jewish life: vulnerability and spiritual resilience. They reminded me that our role as educators goes beyond teaching subjects. We must create spaces where students can process emotions, find meaning, and connect with Hashem in their own ways.
I returned from Sderot with a renewed sense of purpose. Strengthening Jewish identity means nurturing resilience, deepening connection, fostering faith, and instilling pride, lessons that will continue to guide how I teach, lead, and support our students.
Esti Nassim – Head of Sixth Form at Menorah High
