From Quiet, Hidden Judaism to Pride and Responsibility

My name is Tatyana Kheyfets, and I live in San Ramon, California. I was born in Gomel, Belarus, and immigrated to the United States in 1995 when I was nine years old. My life has always been shaped by the desire to build meaningful relationships, learn from different perspectives, and stay actively engaged with my community.

Growing up in Belarus, my connection to Judaism was limited. Because of antisemitism, my family did not openly practice Judaism, and I didn’t fully understand what being Jewish meant. Judaism was something quiet, almost hidden. My only real connection to Israel was through my grandparents, who moved there in the 1990s. I visited them several times with my parents, and while that trip gave Israel a personal, family-based meaning, it still felt distant — more like a place my relatives lived than a part of my own identity.

After moving to the United States, my connection to Judaism and the Jewish community began to flourish through the Tikvah program at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. Judaism felt welcoming, vibrant, and communal. My family began celebrating Jewish holidays and forming meaningful relationships with other Jewish families in San Francisco — many of which remain strong to this day. As I grew older, Judaism became more central to my life. When I got married, it was important to me to be married in a synagogue under a chuppah. And it continues to be important that our children grow up knowing and embracing their Jewish heritage through being active members of Chabad.

The events of October 7 left a deep mark on me. Watching the news from afar was difficult, and I, like many others, felt a strong pull to be closer to Israel and the Jewish community during such a challenging time. I wanted to be present — to witness, to listen, and to stand in solidarity. Signing up for Birthright felt like a way to connect more deeply, contribute meaningfully, and be part of a shared experience that went beyond reposting horrific news in my social media accounts.

From the moment I stepped off the plane in Israel, I felt an overwhelming sense of resilience and strength in the air. Despite everything the country had endured, there was a remarkable feeling of perseverance and unity among the Jewish people. Life continued alongside grief, and I was struck by how that strength was rooted in community, shared history, and a commitment to moving forward together.

Several moments during the trip were especially meaningful. Visiting the Nova site was one of the most powerful and heartbreaking experiences of my experience. Standing there, reading the stories, and seeing the memorials put faces and humanity to a tragedy that had previously felt distant. It was difficult, but it also brought a sense of closure that I didn’t realize I needed in order to begin healing after October 7.

Hearing from the Rabbi of Chabad of Sderot was another deeply moving experience. Listening to him speak about resilience, faith, and his commitment to supporting his community throughout the war — risking his life but not leaving his community, even in the face of unimaginable loss — was both emotional and inspiring. There was not a dry eye at the table that afternoon.

Volunteering in Shlomi was also very special. We helped create a garden at a local school alongside a group of teenage volunteers taking a gap year between school and their IDF service- Osim Shechuna. Working side by side to build something tangible felt helpful and hopeful. Connecting with these teens reinforced the importance of community, rebuilding, and responsibility for one another.

I traveled with two close friends, and along the way we met participants both younger and older than us, representing a wide range of levels of observance and personal connections to Israel. Despite our differences, we were united by a shared goal: to connect more deeply to our heritage and to the Jewish people of Israel. That sense of unity and mutual respect created meaningful conversations and reminded me how powerful our shared identity can be.

Looking back, Birthright deepened my sense of belonging and responsibility. I feel more connected to my Jewish identity and more engaged with the Jewish community. Israel no longer feels like an abstract concept — it feels personal, tied to real people, stories, and experiences. The trip challenged me to think more critically, more compassionately, and more intentionally about my role within the Jewish people.

As I move forward, I hope to carry this experience with me by staying engaged with our Jewish community through Chabad of Danville/San Ramon, continuing to give back, and raising my children with a strong sense of connection, empathy, and pride in their Jewish heritage.

If I could speak directly to the donor who made this experience possible, I would simply say- Thank You! Not just for funding a trip, but for creating an opportunity that genuinely changes how people see themselves, their communities, and the world. Your generosity made space for healing, connection, and growth — and those impacts will stay with me for the rest of my life.