Melanie's Story

Melanie Preston is a Canadian-born, American-raised, world-traveling nomad who discovered Israel at the age of 26, immigrated to the country and stayed for seven years.

Her rich artistic background includes training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, acceptance into the Laguardia School for Performing Arts, a BA in Theatre from Rollins College/SUNY Binghamton, numerous leading acting roles on stages across the world and most recently - international Short Story and Short Screenplays competitions with NYC Midnight.

After a traumatic decade, the October 7th ruthless attack on Israel shattered her. Now living in Charlotte, North Carolina, her grief for her late Jewish mother returned. As she waited to hear from various people, a (mostly) deafening silence ensued.

As the global protests began - many celebrating Hamas and calling for the destruction of Israel - she asked herself if she would have to travel to Israel just to talk - and to be with people who were also in shock.

After 37 excruciating days, she boarded a plane alone to a war zone, desperate to heal her heart, and motivated to help humanize the people of Israel in this existential battle. Winning the war against Hamas is one thing, but it is the Information War that is poisoning the international community and giving rise to an antisemitism she never dreamed she would see in her lifetime.

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This blog will cover the stories of families awaiting their loved ones, still held hostage by Hamas, as well as stories of healing, grief, strength and resilience in the face of a collective trauma for Israeli society and the international Jewish community.

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Have an idea you'd like explored?  Contact her through this website.