Longtime community leaders Nannette and Nathan Shor visited Israel the last week of 2023, and agreed it was both emotionally difficult for them and at the same time ‘right’ to be there for Israelis.
Reflecting on their visit, both took time to share some of their experiences with the Reflector and the community.
Nannette: “We could not go. From the morning of Oct. 7, I said I have to go, I have to go. We have to go to show our support … but I really think it was for us.”
Nathan: “It was solidarity for us to be in Israel first, and then be there for Israelis and our friends and relatives. And them to be with us. We had to have boots on the ground. Everybody we saw, thanked us for being there. And many whom we did not know … they still thanked us.”
Nannette: “Our community was doing a lot for Israel. We were sitting in Richmond and helping to raise money. Our community stepped forward (and our Israel Emergency Campaign) had been amazingly successful. We had been advocating … wearing our ribbons. But for us, we just had to go to visit friends and family.”
When they were on the plane to Israel, it was far different than any other visit over the years. And in the airport, they hit reality quickly with all the signs and photos of the hostages prominently displayed. The passport agent made it clear Israel was at war.
Nannette: “The plane was very quiet but full, and the airport in Israel was so quiet with few people there. The passport agent was very direct. ‘You know there’s a war here.!’ “Yes, ma’am, that’s why we’re here.”
Nathan: “On the plane also were a number of young Thai men who we learned were going to Israel to work since the guest worker program had re-started.”
They were met at the airport by longtime friends – Marcy and Jeremy Stein – and hugged each other for a long time. They knew their decision was right and important.
Nannette: “From that second, we saw them, we knew that we just didn’t go for us.”
During their visit, another harsh reality hit them.
Nannette: “What was frightening was to hear from our friends. They literally said that they thought they might not see us again!”
During the next few days, they spent time with their friends in Tel Aviv going to restaurants, markets and stores and viewing the special hostage displays. And again, they knew it was the best decision coming to Israel. They also went to Jerusalem to visit Nathan’s cousins.
Nannette: “People we didn’t know … husbands and wives in restaurants and other places thanked us. Our friends would introduce us to their friends who would thank and hug us in Tel Aviv and also in Jerusalem. ‘You are now my sister,” Nannette heard from one relative of a friend.
Nathan: “I have two cousins in Jerusalem. That’s another reason we went. They were so happy to see us and glad we came. We were glad to be there.”
Israel was far different than other trips while on the streets.
Nannette: “There were very few tourists everywhere – no sign of tourism. We did not hear much English being spoken.”
Nathan: “We tried to get through what was happening in Israel by going to out to eat with our friends and relatives and walking around. Spending time on the beach. You could easily see reality walking in the streets with the signs for the Hostages and how the buildings were lit up at night. Israel flags were everywhere. We knew we were in a war zone.”
Nannette: “There were many difficult times emotionally but we wanted to be there always.”
Nathan: “It was the first time ever I heard Israelis worried about the future of Israel.”
Nannette: “We witnessed several big rallies with hostage families…”
Nathan: “We did see unity while there from 99% of the Israelis. This gave us comfort that they were all in cinque with their mission. Not 100%, but everyone we met and also former Richmonders – old and young. Everyone understood what their goal was.”
Nannette: “This was our most rewarding and meaningful Israel visit … and hardest emotionally. I would go back today.”
Nathan: “We needed to be there!”
See more photos from their Israel visit:
