Behind the Lens: Witnessing History on the Set of 'Red Alert'

In my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined being on set during the shooting of a dramatic TV series, called “Red Alert”, partly funded by Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Entertainment Fund and based on five stories of those who survived the harrowing events of October 7. But that is what happened recently at a kibbutz near Tel Aviv. 

At times, I was next to Batsheva Yahalomi, the mother, in the tragic and brave family story that was being filmed.  At other times, I was next to Ruth Efroni, co-creator and acclaimed Producer, Lawrence Bender (just Google him… your jaw will drop), and Nati Dinnar (Izzy TV CEO and President of IEF).

Together, we watched the monitor in the kitchen because the scene that day happened in the family’s safe room in Kibbutz Nir’Oz. It was at capacity with the cast (mother, father, twelve-year-old son, two daughters aged ten years and twenty months), cameramen, and sound, there was no room for anyone else. The scene was terrifying - the family in hiding, keeping the baby quiet, deciding if they should trust the voice outside saying that they were the IDF (which they were not), and hearing gunshots outside. And making a decision that changed everything - whether or not the father should leave the safe room to fix the door. Leaving the safe room led to the father being shot in his arm and leg, and the rest of the family being taken on motorcycles towards Gaza. It’s a story of heroism and hope, as well as the random, unjustifiable, and violent terror.

I had to keep pinching myself to make sure that it wasn’t a dream.

I was honored to be invited to the set through my active involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA. As a member of its Arts & Entertainment Initiative, a group of dynamic, passionate Zionists, we understand that culture nourishes the soul & brings enriching experiences to Israel’s northern and southern communities.

Through our Israel Entertainment Fund, we will ensure that Israel’s unique culture and stories reach global audiences via high‑quality motion pictures and television productions.