After October 7, I felt a strong urge to document everything that happened—the protests, the rallies, and the Nova survivors in painting therapy and in studio sessions.

From this journey, the exhibition “From Victims to Victory” was born. From my position here in the U.S., I realized I was processing the trauma differently. I experience it not as an
isolated event, but as part of a larger puzzle of the Jewish people.

I chose to be the voice of the survivors, those who are currently focused on healing and hope.

I chose to create art about a historic event in the life of the Jewish people.

I chose it because I am proudly Jewish.

I chose it because I am proudly Israeli.

LET THEM BE LIGHT / FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORY

https://melanitgal.com/#%D7%B4let-them-be-light

About Melanit:

My story is written in my wrinkles, my wandering gaze, and my desire to discover. I live between yearning for independence and the need for connection. I move through deep emotional and intellectual spaces, seeking to understand myself, my community, and the generations before me.

https://melanitgal.com/

Melissa is a devoted follower of Jesus who recently moved to Palestine, Texas, after calling Israel home from 2005 to 2025.

She and her husband, Jase, raised their four children there, deeply embedding themselves in the local fabric for two decades.

Driven by a biblical call to be a blessing, Melissa dedicated her time to building genuine relationships and serving both her Jewish and Arab neighbors.

Now back in the U.S., she remains a supportive voice for Israel, carrying with her the diverse friendships, struggles, and hope forged over twenty years of life in the land.

Nicci is a South African who has been living in London for the past 35 years. She was in Israel on October 7, 2023, and like many others, realized that she had taken being a Zionist for granted. Since then, she has returned to Israel nine times to volunteer and has worked tirelessly on projects in the UK.

Through giving of herself, she has found healing and discovered her life’s purpose.

As antisemitism rises, Europe has become an increasingly frightening place to live.

Nicci is committed to doing everything she can to spread light in the darkness.

She is both a warrior and a worrier.

Dori is a digital content creator, Jewish advocate, and founder of the @strength4israel platform on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

She has also published on Substack. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Faces of October Seventh and as President of the Board of Directors for Jewish National Fund–USA’s Westchester and Fairfield County regions.

She is also the co-founder of the social media movement Flip Your Diploma.Grounded in her Chabad community, Dori leads initiatives that bridge digital advocacy with real-world impact in support of Israel and the Jewish people.Prior to her advocacy work, Dori built a career in the luxury fashion industry, holding leadership roles in Human Resources and Retail Management at Kate Spade, Henri Bendel, and Prada USA. She later co-founded DUXSTYLE, an e-commerce company showcasing emerging Israeli and international artists.

In the aftermath of October 7, she chose to close the business and focus exclusively on advocacy and education.

Dori earned her B.A. in Political Science from Barnard College at Columbia University, along with an M.A. in Organizational Psychology and an Ed.M. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers College. She resides in Connecticut with her family.

She is the daughter of an Israeli and the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/strength4israel/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@strength4israel