Last week in New Rochelle, Orel Nissan, a leading personality in Israeli media, spoke in the home of Michelle and Joel Orgel. Nissan was part of a program for Emunah of America to share her personal journey—from living in Emunah’s Afula Children’s Center to her current life as a well-known TV and media personality.

Nissan was accompanied by Hila Stern, the CEO of Emunah, and Sophia Alpert, Emunah’s events and campaign associate.

Michelle Orgel opened the program by speaking about Emunah. She shared that five years ago, her close friend Alana Karp, z”l, who had worked for Emunah, inspired her to get involved. Orgel made her own daughter’s bat mitzvah at Ahuzat Sarah, an Emunah children’s home in Israel, and was moved by what she saw. “Emunah really changes their lives, and gives them the opportunity for resilience and a positive trajectory for success,” Orgel said.

Following a brief video introduction, Nissan shared her personal story. Now living in Tel Aviv, the 28-year old grew up in a small village in the north of Israel with her nine siblings. Her home was crowded, and there wasn’t enough food. Nobody took care of her or looked out for her in any way. Nissan didn’t elaborate, and quickly moved on to the next part of her story.

When she was 11 years old, social workers removed Nissan and some of her siblings from their home. Nissan was taken to Emunah’s Children’s Center in Afula. “It was so strange to be in a place where there were rules and a dress code, and I actually had to go to school,” she said. At first, she was very angry—angry at her parents for failing, angry at the social workers who took her away from what was familiar, and angry at the staff for making her go to school and do her homework. But as the weeks passed, she started making friends at Emunah and at school. She noticed that her teachers liked her; she joined the choir and the tennis team; and she started playing the drums. “Emunah taught me to have אמונה בעצמי—to believe in myself—and to know that the sky’s the limit. But at the same time I understood that it was my responsibility to make it happen.”

In 2014, Nissan graduated from the best high school in Afula, and joined the army, where she served as a combat medic. After her army service, she spent four months traveling in South America and volunteering in Brazil, helping underprivileged children.

Upon returning to Israel, Nissan decided to pursue her dream of becoming an actor. With Emunah’s help, she enrolled in a prestigious acting school. Eventually realizing that she wanted to be in the news business instead of acting, she started working at a news channel as a content creator. Nissan is now a broadcaster and the director of social media at Channel 12, the largest news station in Israel. She has had the opportunity to meet and interview many famous personalities and decision-makers.

“The hardest day of my career was October 7,” she said.”I worked 48 hours straight, knowing that some of my friends had been killed at the Nova festival.” Nissan explained that she has been covering the war ever since, while her older brother, with whom she is still close, has been fighting in Gaza. “I always hope that I will not see his name come up in the newsroom,” she said, fighting back tears.

Nissan concluded: “The love and support that I received from my Emunah family helped me move away from the trauma I experienced as a child. I can promise you that my own children will grow up safe and in a loving family. I’m also very happy that I went from being a person who needs so much help to being a giver who can help and support others.”

Stern, the Emunah CEO, then spoke about the organization, describing its various components. She explained that Emunah has five children’s homes throughout Israel, each of which houses 150-200 kids who are taken from their homes by court order; 13 therapeutic centers, which accept thousands of children, families, couples and single mothers; and many day care centers attended by 5,000 kids across the country.

She then explained that when the war began, Emunah homes and centers in the South and the North, such as in Sderot and Nahariya, had to be evacuated. Emunah never stopped providing their various services, even through the displacement. Many centers in the central Israel area stayed completely intact, and absorbed refugees that came from the North and South.

Stern shared that any time a family or individual visits Israel, they can visit one of Emunah’s projects. “Your kids will interact with our kids, and have a meaningful experience.” She said Emunah will set it up immediately, so the visit will be easy and seamless.

Joel Orgel then asked Nissan to describe her daily routine. She has a spot in the morning show in Northern Tel Aviv, and she has to be there early for hair and makeup. She then has to go to Jerusalem for her breaking news spot at 2 p.m. and then at 4 p.m. She does all of her own research and writing. Nissan also has a seven-minute “good news” spot every day. As the director of social media, she manages five employees who are doing marketing and making videos all day.

“Every day is different and exciting,” the news anchor said. “I really love my job. It’s my shlichut (mission).”

For more information, visit: emunah.org