By Nativia Bühler

Jaqueline Glicksman, 81, returned to the ruins of her kibbutz home in Ein HaShlosha, Israel, months after Hamas terrorists stormed her community on October 7, 2023. Her house had been reduced to ashes, and countless memories were lost in the smoke—but she remains determined to come back. The ICEJ stepped in to help survivors like Jaqueline on their way home with the purchase of golf-cart-style caddies to help them regain mobility and independence.

On that day, Ein HaShlosha, located near the Gaza border, faced an unprecedented assault. Approximately 75 terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz fields, though they were thankfully spotted by a helicopter, which neutralised some of the threat and prevented further ambushes. Still, four residents were killed, and 16 homes were burned. Some houses were marked with bullet holes, and others were damaged by rocket fire. Looting followed the attacks, leaving the community traumatised and in shock.

As families moved from hotels into temporary housing, the ICEJ provided encouragement and support to families displaced by the attack. In 2025, the ICEJ’s AID team delivered 130 gift packages to families evacuated from Ein HaShlosha. These packages, donated through the generosity of Christians in Singapore, were part of a larger effort that delivered more than 1,500 packages to evacuated kibbutzim, including Nir Oz, Re’im, Be’eri, Kfar Azza, and Nachal Oz.

“The aim is to let every community feel the presence and support of Christians around the world,” said Nicole Yoder, Vice President of AID and Aliyah. “We want them to know they are not facing this alone.”

Glicksman’s experience that day was harrowing. Alone at home, she initially went into her safe room when the sirens sounded, but when she stepped out to make coffee, she heard shouts of “Allahu Akbar” and gunfire outside. She realised the danger was imminent. “They weren’t giving out sweets,” she said ironically.

She thought she was safe, but then she heard the door open, and an armed terrorist entered her home, taking the tablet and phone she had been using to contact her family. He towered above her with a machine gun strapped across his chest and a headband marked with Arabic script, looked her straight in the eyes, and put a finger to his mouth, motioning for her to stay silent. Frozen in shock, she obeyed as he backed out of the room, leaving her with no understanding of what was unfolding beyond her door. Moments later, she heard something being scattered outside. Realising the danger, the 81-year-old gathered every ounce of strength, climbed onto a tall dresser, reached the window frame, and leapt out in her slippers and pyjamas.

As she ran approximately 1.5 kilometres across the kibbutz, she passed the burned homes of her friends, lifeless bodies, and even saw a destroyed security vehicle with the security chief lying dead beside it. Amid the smoke, flames, and scattered belongings, she knocked on several doors, searching for safety, until neighbours Marcelo and Collie Cohen finally sheltered her.

Returning months later, Jaqueline described the impact of what she had endured. “It hurts that they burned down my house, my life. Nothing is left,” she said. She also expressed lingering fear: “I never know if it will happen again, and it is frightening.” Yet despite the trauma, she is determined to return home, “This is my home. I have no other,” she said.

Her son Yossi, who spoke to us in an interview, recounted her story with emotion: “The spirit of God covered my mum and protected her. I have no other explanation for how she is alive today.” Yossi added, “She’s been through hell, and I pray that the rest of her life she lives in fullness and in healing.”

The story of Ein HaShlosha shows both the immediate impact of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing need for recovery and support. Through the generosity of Christians around the world, the ICEJ is helping in the renewal and rebuilding efforts, as well as providing aid for trauma and other needs. In this case, we are helping October 7 survivors like Jaqueline regain independence. Today, she not only survives to tell her inspiring story—jumping from a window at 81 years old to escape terrorists—but she also has a caddy from the ICEJ, giving her mobility and a practical tool to navigate her restored community.

If you want to change lives like Jaqueline to recover, overcome and find a better tomorrow, then please consider giving to our Israel in Crisis fund at: help.icej.org/crisis