On October 7, 2023, then-27-year-old Shani Aharon - a former combat infantry officer - was called up at 8:00 a.m. and sent straight to southern Israel. She quickly found herself leading search-and-rescue missions on the front lines in Gaza and later along Israel’s northern border, all while dealing with the deaths of close friends and commanders. In total, Shani completed more than 230 days of reserve duty as a special operations officer, playing a key role in protecting Israel’s northern and southern frontiers. Shani is deeply committed to strengthening Jewish identity and advocating for Israel.