We cannot always choose reality, but we can always choose whether to watch from the sidelines or take part

On October 7, Maayan began raising donations for battalions: a small operations room that achieved big things, supplying food and equipment to hundreds of soldiers. As the war continued and life seemingly returned to normal, she decided to leave everything and enlist in the army at 27, even though she had just completed a master’s degree and secured a good position at work. She then continued serving in the reserves in a combat battalion, spending more than 200 days in Gaza and Lebanon.

“Suddenly I felt that I belonged. I understood that the moment I chose to get out of bed and do something was the moment I began finding my place. If there is one thing I would want you to take from my story, it is this: we cannot always choose reality, but we can always choose whether to stand on the sidelines or take part.”

Photo: Shay Franco