From Housewarmings to Heartaches - My No-Holds-Barred Review of 2023

Reflecting on the year gone by – it's something many of us do, and this year, well, it's been a bit like a rollercoaster designed by a mad scientist – thrilling highs, unexpected twists, and some rather stomach-churning drops.

To be honest, I almost didn't write this post. The past three months have cast a long shadow, making me wonder if the light of the earlier months would be enough to balance the scales. But here we are, because sometimes, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) is the best kind of therapy.

The year took off on an incredible note. We finally moved into our new home in Israel, a dream we'd been nurturing for 9 months. It was like stepping into a future we'd imagined, only better, because it was real. The new house smell, the laughter echoing off the walls, the sense of 'we made it' – it's hard to put into words how much gratitude filled those first days.

And then, just as we were settling in, my mum arrived, adding her unique spark to our new beginning. Her presence turned our new house into a home, infusing it with memories of old and new.

Next up, the big 5-0. I've always believed in celebrating life's milestones, and turning fifty was no exception. Surrounded by friends, the kind who've seen you at your best and worst, we celebrated in style. It was a night of dancing, laughter, and memories that will shine bright for years to come.

Travel has always been my way of recharging, and this year we went all out. Post-Mechina (Emily’s pre-Army training programme), Emily and I embarked on a whirlwind tour. The UK greeted us with its signature chill but warmed us with the love of family and friends. Then Amsterdam – our special mother-daughter trip, filled with laughter, exploration, and those perfect little moments you wish you could bottle up.

But it was our trip to Poland that left an indelible mark. Walking through the remnants of the Holocaust with J-Roots, we were confronted with a past that was heartbreakingly real and present. It was a week of emotional intensity that would, in a haunting echo, mirror events later in the year.

Emily's transition into the army was a chapter filled with pride. Watching her adapt and thrive, despite the challenges of moving and language barriers, was a testament to her resilience. Her journey, from a 14-year-old home-educated girl to securing her dream job in foreign relations in the army, is a story of determination and strength.

On the work front, the year felt like riding a bike on a hilly trail. Just as I'd catch my breath after a steep climb, another hill would appear. The remnants of Covid lingered, challenging my business in ways I hadn't anticipated. There was even a brief flirtation with the job market – a month-long adventure that reminded me why I'm an entrepreneur at heart. It's been a year of recalibrating, of figuring out where my passion lies and how to align it with my business goals.

I've come to realize that change isn't just inevitable, it's necessary. It's about adapting, pivoting, and looking forward.

I've made peace with the past, proud of what I've achieved and excited for the future. These last days have been filled with planning and dreaming – two things I absolutely adore. And as I look towards 2024, I do so with a heart full of hope and a mind buzzing with ideas. 

The latter part of 2023 has been a crucible, testing the resilience of my spirit and the strength of my convictions. October 7th marks a day that will forever be etched in my memory – a day when the world, as I knew it, shifted irreversibly. We faced an unthinkable tragedy, the most significant attack on the Jewish people since the dark days of the Holocaust. In the immediate aftermath, a paralyzing fear took hold – a fear for my safety and family, a fear of the unknown, a fear that seemed to engulf the very air around us.

The emotions that followed (and continue to) were tumultuous and raw. Fear quickly gave way to grief, a profound sorrow for the loss we collectively endured. This grief then deepened into a sadness so palpable, it felt like a weight pressing down on my every thought, every breath. Depression crept in, casting long shadows over days that once were filled with light.

But perhaps the most challenging emotion was anger – anger at the senseless violence and unimaginable atrocities, anger at the silence of so many who chose to look away. It felt like we were fighting on two fronts: the very real and present battle here in Israel, and a broader, more insidious war against a rising tide of anti-Semitism, an undercurrent of hatred that seemed to be gaining strength in the West.

Amidst all this, what pained me most was the silence from those I expected to hear from, the absence of voices that once were close. This silence was a wound, a stark reminder of the loneliness that often accompanies standing up for one's beliefs.

In facing these trials, I've sought solace and strength in therapy, a journey that many of us in Israel are walking together. It's in these sessions that I've found the courage to confront my fears, to process my grief, and to slowly piece together the fragments of hope scattered in the wake of these events.

And yet, despite the darkness of these past months, I refuse to let despair define the end of my year. I stand resolute in my beliefs, clear-eyed about the difference between right and wrong. It's a clarity that comes not from naivety but from facing the depths of human cruelty and still choosing to believe in the potential for goodness.

As I look toward 2024, my heart is heavy but not defeated. I remain optimistic, holding onto a hope for a future where peace prevails, where understanding bridges divides, and where the courage to stand up for what is right inspires others to do the same.

May 2024 be a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope.