They are Here

At Bar-Ilan University, the sense of relief and gratitude is profound. Many of our students, faculty, and alumni have been on the frontlines serving, supporting, rescuing, and caring. Today, we honor their courage and the humanity they carried even into the darkest moments.

Among those who stood at the heart of this historic moment was Dr. Yael Shoval Zuckerman from BIU's School of Social Work, a Major (res.) in the IDF Medical Corps, who was among the first to welcome the returning hostages.

“There are no words to describe the range of emotions when the door of the Red Cross jeep opened and the hostages stepped out,” said Dr. Shoval Zuckerman. “They moved from darkness to light, from loneliness and cruelty to human warmth and care. We thought of every small detail that could ease the moment, to help them feel safe, to soften the transition. These were moments that marked a beginning: the beginning of healing, of rebuilding, of returning to life. As I stood there, offering a smile, a word, sometimes a gentle touch, I felt like a messenger of the Medical Corps, of the army, and of an entire people waiting with love and hope to say: Welcome home.”

Her words capture the shared emotion felt across the country, the mix of pain and relief, loss and gratitude, sorrow and love.

As a university community, Bar-Ilan stands together in this moment of national renewal. Our resilience center and clinical services continue to offer tailored therapeutic support through individual, family, couple, and group sessions, alongside workshops for stress reduction and strengthening personal and communal resilience.

The coming period will test our collective ability to rebuild, to restore routine, to support those wounded in body and soul, to comfort grieving families, and to reawaken dialogue and mutual responsibility across a society that has endured deep pain.

At Bar-Ilan University, we remain steadfast in our mission: to live, study, and grow together within a diverse and respectful community; to nurture the next generation of leaders, innovators, thinkers, and creators; and to continue advancing groundbreaking research for Israel and the world.

With all communities across the nation, we look ahead with faith, with compassion, and with hope for a future of peace, safety, and healing.

Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.