In the News

April 28, 2023 | Channel 7 News Miami | Nicole Linsalata

Many Ukrainian families have escaped to Israel since Russia’s war started, and as Israel celebrates the country’s 75th anniversary, those families are finding comfort in their new home. Elena Ivanova is among those who fled Ukraine for Israel. “I loved my life,” she said, and why wouldn’t she? She had a husband, with whom she owned a clothing store, two young sons and a close family. But everything changed Feb. 24, 2022.

April 27, 2023 | Channel 7 News Miami | Nicole Linsalata

Some South Floridians who were among hundreds who traveled to Israel to celebrate its 75th Independence Day took the opportunity to honor the heroes who showed up during one of her community’s darkest hours. 7News cameras captured the moment Élise Scheck Bonwitt reunited with Israeli Defense Forces Cmdr. Golan Vach with near Tel Aviv, Thursday. It’s the first time they had seen each other in two years. Vach, with IDF’s Search and Rescue unit, helped find Scheck Bonwitt’s loved ones in the Surfside collapse.

April 25, 2023 | Miami Herald | Daniel Shoer Roth

As the Russian military offensive continued in his native Ukraine, Gabriel, a 20-year-old soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, shared a story of hope. He emigrated 2 1/2 years ago with the assistance of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which helped him get settled in a place where he has no family. His poignant story — on the eve of Yom HaZikaron, the Day of Remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror — drew tears from the audience, a delegation of 800 people participating in the Jewish Federation of Greater Miami’s mission on the 75th anniversary of the independence of Israel. The Federation helps fund the program helping Gabriel.
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April 25, 2023 | Channel 7 News Miami | Nicole Linsalata

As Israel celebrates 75 years, the unimaginable loss of loved ones are fresh in the minds of people. One car after another and another pulled over off a highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and then came the sirens. They can be heard faintly in the distance. But even if these drivers can barely hear it, they know it’s there. All over the country. And so they stop. “Everyone in this country knows someone, has a family member that has fallen,” said Lily Serviansky, with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. “Colleagues, friends, parents, children, everyone in mourning, and it’s a very personal day.”

April 24, 2023 | Channel 7 News Miami | Nicole Linsalata

There was a touching sky-high tribute marking Israel’s 75 years of Independence. As several Jews express their joy over their nation’s independence, Israel is going through a tumultuous time politically. There are several protests over a proposal dealing with judicial reform. But Wednesday night was when several people came together just to celebrate their unity. “A modern state. Powerful, flying F-35s and F-16s, you know, being able to defend itself,” Ike Fisher said. “I don’t think they can possibly imagine it.”

April 24, 2023 | Channel 7 News Miami | Nicole Linsalata

As Israel celebrates 75 years, 7News takes a look at the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead. On Monday, police said there was a terror attack that involved a vehicle, which rammed into some individuals. There was a wail of sirens across Israel, Monday night. It is an annual ritual to honor the country’s war dead. For nearly 24 hours, the nation is at a standstill.

April 23, 2023 | Channel 7 News Miami | Nicole Linsalata
A Jewish family from South Florida have shared their harrowing experience of hiding from rockets during a recent trip to Israel, coinciding with the country’s 75th year of independence. The family said people only have 90 seconds to reach a shelter when rockets fly over Israel, and rockets go off more often than not.

April 22, 2023 | Miami Herald | Daniel Shoer Roth

Elie Wiesel, the famous Auschwitz survivor, author and Nobel laureate, once said: “One does not go to Jerusalem, one returns to it. That’s one of its mysteries.”

For a delegation of 800 Jews from Miami, their historic visit to Jerusalem this week — for the 75th anniversary of Israel’s independence — has been just that. Not an arrival, but a sort of return. And they are here to uncover that mystery.

Actualizado 22 Abril de 2023 | El Nuevo Herald | Daniel Shoer Roth

Elie Wiesel, el famoso sobreviviente de Auschwitz, autor y premio Nobel, dijo una vez: “Uno no va a Jerusalén, uno regresa a ella. Ese es uno de sus misterios”.

Para una delegación de 800 judíos de Miami, su visita histórica a Jerusalén esta semana –para el 75 aniversario de la independencia de Israel– ha sido eso: no una llegada, sino una suerte de regreso. Y están aquí para descubrir ese misterio.

April 20, 2023 | Channel 7 News Miami
Hundreds of South Florida Jews gathering overseas to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day. Now, on the 75th anniversary, they are remembering the lessons of a painful past.

Several people from the Greater Jewish Federation were in Israel, Thursday night. For them, there are two sides of a very inescapable coin: the progress the nation has made and the dark history the Jewish people had to endure.

A young nation that was founded in the 20th century, Israel is now 75 years old.