As Iran launched a barrage of more than 100 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, 2024, the St. Louis Jewish Light was in contact with Naama Herz, a 19-year-old Israeli woman from Kibbutz Ramot Menashe. Herz had returned to Israel in late August after spending a year in St. Louis as part of the Shinshinim program.

Now back home, she found herself in the midst of a rapidly escalating conflict, keeping friends in St. Louis updated on the unfolding situation through texts.

Iran attacks Israel

The barrage of missiles from Iran came after Israel launched an offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon over the preceding days.

Herz, taking refuge in a shelter at her kibbutz, described the tense atmosphere during the attack​.

“It’s 9:23 p.m. We’ve had two sirens and a bunch of rockets near us. We are all safe but nervous and scared. We know that our army is strong,” she continued, “but our friend Guy  is in Lebanon, and we are scared for him.”

The following videos were sent by Herz.