People stand next to flags on the day the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages, Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas, and her two children Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, are handed over under the terms of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad

My journey began with my grandparents, whose extraordinary lives shaped everything I stand for today.

My grandfather, a Moroccan Jew, was a courageous figure in the French Resistance, fighting to liberate the Jewish people during World War II. After the war, he played a pivotal role in the founding of the State of Israel, and served as a soldier in the Israeli army.

Though he was immensely proud of everything he had done for Israel, he carried a deep longing in his heart for his family abroad. His desire to reunite with them led him to leave Israel, and come to America.

My grandmother, a Hungarian Jew, was sent to Auschwitz at just 17-years old. During her time there, she was forced to work for Dr. Mengele, but it was her unshakable belief in God that helped her survive.

After the war, she spent time in a Swedish Displaced Persons camp, then returned to Hungary to discover that most of her family had been lost. Despite this tragedy, she had two siblings living in New York. Starting anew, she worked collecting rent in Manhattan before meeting my grandfather. Together, they built a home on the Upper West Side, grounded in their faith and belief in Judaism.

Their survival was not just a matter of circumstance — but of faith. They instilled in our family the importance of knowing who we are, where we come from, and standing strong in our beliefs. My father, who was president of our community synagogue, taught me to always fight for what is right, to never be ashamed of who you are, and to let my inner light shine despite opposition.

Fast forward to today — and I am a proud mother of seven children. Every morning, I wake up with the same fire that was instilled in me as a child. My goal is simple: how can I help my fellow Jews, my friends, my family, my community, and the world around me? How can I be a light?

I believe that our actions, our names, and the light we share with the world are what we are truly remembered for. While raising my family, I served on Jewish organizational boards to secure the future of Israel and Jewish life, and run a children’s accessories business that promotes Jewish values, giving back to those in need through donations to less fortunate and sick children in Israel.

October 7, 2023, was a pivotal moment. While I had always known antisemitism existed, I had never witnessed such a brutal form of it until that day. My husband and I felt compelled to take action. In response to the destruction and hatred, we decided to bring holiness to the very places where we were attacked.

With the help of great rabbis, we launched a project to write Torah scrolls at the Nova site where the Jewish people were meant to be destroyed. The project grew, and with it, our mission: to show that no matter how much hatred we face, we will always rise again in faith and light.

The bond between Jews abroad and our brothers and sisters in Israel is built on love, solidarity, and unwavering support. While they defend their homes and spiritual lives, we stand beside them, ensuring they never feel alone.

Our voices and unity give them strength, and it is our sacred duty to be their unwavering support. This is more than a moral obligation — it is a deep spiritual connection that compels us to stand together, now and always.

Throughout history, when faced with destruction, the Jewish nation has always found a way to rise. We do not respond with violence but with Torah, acts of kindness, and emunah (faith) in Hashem (G-d). This mission drives me every day — to ensure that future generations understand how to be a light in the world, to fight with kindness, and to stand firm in their Jewish identity.

This is why my mission is so clear: we must teach our future generations how to be that light — how to live with fire, to fight with kindness, and to be the peacekeepers in the world. We’re not here for war; we’re here for love, peace, and to embody our role as children of God. In doing so, we will always remain the light in the darkness.

This is why the World Zionist Congress (WZC) is so critical. It provides a voice for American Jews who care about Israel. By participating in the upcoming WZC election, we have the power to strengthen Jewish identity, support Israel, and ensure our voices are heard. This is why I am running — to amplify our collective voice, to bring awareness, and to ensure we stand strong together.

Every single person must vote this March. Our engagement is crucial in showing Israel that we are by their side — always. It is our shared responsibility to take action, to stand up for our people, and to secure a thriving future for Israel and the Jewish nation. Vote in the WZC elections and be a part of history. Our unity is our strength, and together, we will always rise.

Bari Erber is a highly successful entrepreneur, product designer, a mother of seven, and a passionate philanthropist. She is running on the Aish Ha’am slate for the World Zionist Congress in order to better represent American Jewry and the Jewish people.