Ever since Oct. 7, Miriam Bird has felt a magnetic pull towards Israel.So, the second-year University of Cincinnati student arrived there Monday, and committed to helping in any way she could.Bird is part of the Birthright Israel Onward Volunteer in Israel program, which is funded by the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati and coordinated by UC Hillel, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, and other organizations.She and nine other college students and young adults flew to Israel early Christmas morning and wore big smiles upon landing.They possess a big sense of purpose as well.Bird said she was grateful for the opportunity to help Israel during a time of need and danger. She and the others arrived in Netanya, a Cincinnati sister city.That is where their base of operations will be during winter break.Although it's an area relatively distant from the war, it's still vulnerable."Because of the circumstances and that we are technically in a war zone, there's definitely some uneasiness just talking about the idea of going out or going over the safety protocols that we need to take," said Bird.It's just a little over an hour to Bethlehem where a Nativity scene was on display this Christmas Day amid rubble, a symbolic nod to those who have been killed and maimed in Gaza.At the Jewish Federation, CEO Danielle Minson told us, "We are against Hamas. We are not against any other ethnic group. And so, I absolutely believe that the only path forward is to continue to have relationships and to continue to build bridges with folks that are members of the Muslim community, the Palestinian community as well."Bird and the other young people will start picking fruits and vegetables tomorrow, volunteering on farms that no longer have enough hands doing that work.Many of the farm workers have been called up from the reserves.It continues to be a difficult time for the tourism industry there."We work with a tour provider," Minson said. "They are maintaining a lot of trips. They're different types of trips, but the larger community missions have been canceled."Israel relies on tourism for its economy."They are gravely hit right now," said Minson.The young volunteers will sort food, clothing, and supplies for Israeli soldiers next week.They've already noticed there are fewer people on the streets.Bird told us her family is naturally worried for her safety, but nonetheless supportive because of her deep love for Israel."I spent a year here before," she told us. "I love coming here. I love traveling to Israel. So, as we were like touching the ground and landing the plane, it was really, really meaningful. I shed a few tears."She spoke about how encouraging it was to see other people on the plane also as volunteers."It's definitely a bit of a different vibe than a normal Israeli day before all of this," she stated.Dozens were killed in another wave of bombings Monday.Bird said ever since Oct. 7, she knew Israel was where she needed to be."With school, it's just really hard to do that," she said. "But I knew this is where I wanted to be."