Today, we went to the synagogue to light candles for all the victims. It wasn't an ordinary day where I'd wake up in the morning and say, "Yay, I'm going to the synagogue for Shabbat, Hanukkah, Sukkot, or other Jewish holidays." Today, when entering this sacred place, I looked around and saw almost everyone I knew from the Jewish community in Bulgaria. I looked at familiar faces, not with the usual smiles, but with pain, concern, and anger clearly visible on their faces, directed towards the terrorists.

I can't say I have many close people in Israel right now, but I am deeply affected by all the news I receive every time I check my phone, every minute of the day, worrying about everything going on in Israel. I have never felt prouder of my Jewish heritage.

The other day, I shared this with my best friend, who is not Jewish, but she's always been there for me through everything I've been through. I told her about what was happening, and her words were, "This sounds so unreal, like it's from a movie." She was shocked that such a terrible thing could happen and deeply hoped it wasn't true. Unfortunately, it is true. Thousands of rockets, thousands killed, thousands wounded innocent people who were probably just in their homes celebrating Shabbat with their families or enjoying a music festival. And the survivors have to evacuate their homes every day, wondering where to stay.

I can't even imagine what a mother goes through worrying about her child. A mother who has just given birth worries about her baby's safety and whether she can keep them safe. I consider these people heroes after seeing what they are going through.

Returning to today, I was afraid to approach the synagogue, which was surrounded by the police. I was afraid to say who I was, to show my ID. I didn't feel safe even when I stepped inside. I felt everything my friends were feeling, and it was even difficult for me to see how hurt they were. It's not normal for me, a teenager who has a social life and loves getting together with friends from the Jewish community and my family, to be afraid to leave my house, to go to a BBYO program, school, and various other places.

I feel immense solidarity with everyone who is grieving for the Jewish people, for all my loved ones, whether they are in Israel or not, friends from the Jewish community, and the Jewish community as a whole. I support Israel with all my heart and its right to defend itself because terrorism, violence, and killing innocents are not the ways a nation can gain independence. Lastly, I want to reiterate that I have never felt prouder of who I am, or more precisely, a Bulgarian with a Jewish heritage. 

Take care, and don't forget that hope dies last.