Courage in Scars: Mally's Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

"As a teenage girl, I was very concerned about my appearance," begins Mally Segal. "So, the attack that scarred my face hit me in a significant way." Today, Mally is the director of the 'Meshivat Nefesh' Institute under Harel Hatzroni, and she works as a stylist guiding women in fashion and self-exploration, offering courses and workshops on the subject. She entered this field after surviving a traumatic attack in her early teens and grappling with its repercussions. "During Chanukah 23 years ago, at 14, I asked my mother to go to the city with a friend. My family lived in Emmanuel in the Shomron, and our shopping center was in Kfar Saba, which meant taking public transport. Right before we left, my younger brother decided to join, so we set off together." As evening fell, Mally, her friend, and her younger brother headed home. They caught public transport to Karnei Shomron, about 15 minutes from Emmanuel, and waited for another bus to take them home. "Our parents would have allowed us to hitch a ride with someone we knew from the community. While waiting, several people passed by but didn't stop. Even those who usually offered us a ride didn't stop that day. To me, it shows how the situation was orchestrated from above," Mally reflects. The much-awaited bus arrived, almost full. The three boarded, thinking their long day was nearing an end. Mally informed her mother they would be home in time to light the Chanukah candles. "Less than a kilometer from the settlement's gate, there was a massive explosion followed by silence. I immediately realized it was an attack," Mally recalls. A bomb was planted at a problematic curve near a cliff. Miraculously, the bus driver remained calm. The steering wheel was a mere rod, yet he guided the bus safely close to the settlement gate, where it was safe to disembark. "I felt angels carrying the bus," he later described. "I felt wetness on my face and intense weakness, realizing I was hurt," says Mally. "My thoughts were on my little brother; I didn't want him to see my injuries and panic. I told him to get off and run home, not looking back, planning to follow him. He didn't listen. He saw my injuries in the streetlight and hurried home. I felt weaker and lay by the roadside." Moments later, gunfire erupted from the nearby hill—the bomb was just the beginning of the terrorists' sinister plan, waiting for rescue forces to arrive. "Everyone who could run dashed into the settlement. The driver moving the bus away from the explosion saved many lives. In the distance, I saw another bus inside the settlement for those fleeing. People said it was headed to a clinic offering first aid. Despite my weakness, I struggled to reach it. Though I wanted medical help, my main urge was to find a mirror. In hindsight, it seems odd considering the situation's gravity. But as a young girl preoccupied with appearance, I wanted to see my reflection and understand my brother's reaction." The sight that met Mally was harsh. A bullet hit her nose, breaking her upper jaw and shattering teeth. At the clinic, a skull injury was identified, and she was airlifted to a hospital. "The next morning, a newspaper was placed on my bed, detailing the night's tragedy on the front page. Eleven people were killed, and many injured. I was in complete shock," Mally recalls. She then faced her personal struggle. Her face had suffered severe trauma, leading to hours-long surgery to reconstruct it. "How did you cope with recovery?" "The injuries and surgeries left deep scars on my face, I was missing front teeth, and I felt too ashamed to leave the house. In the hospital, I told my mother I wouldn't return to school and wanted no visitors. Thoughts raced about my future, and I was sure no one would marry me. Life felt over, like being in a dark tunnel without a light." "Thank Hashem, I was blessed with a strong mother who wasn’t swayed by my declarations. Right after being discharged, she said I could convalesce at home for two days, then return to school. She refused to let me wallow in self-pity." Mally adds, "Back then, I felt misunderstood and resented her. As I matured, I realized she saved me. Thanks to her, I learned to face challenges, choose positivity amid struggles, and not fall into despair." She notes that the recovery spanned years since some treatments could only occur post-growth. For example, she underwent dental implants at 18. "My body image was severely impacted during that time, and glances or whispers felt like mockery. Experiencing such hardships at the peak of adolescence was extremely tough." "For seven years, I refused to speak about the attack. The pain and emotions were so intense and trapped that I couldn't address it. Only at around 20 did I write about my experience for a popular Shabbat leaflet, which was the first time many around me heard the full details. Writing and publishing that article gradually freed something inside me." "Did you question Hashem during that time?" "I did have questions. As a teenager, I couldn’t comprehend why Hashem seemingly ‘did this’ to me and the pivotal question was: why my face, the part that mattered most to me?" "Today, after a long personal journey, I wouldn’t trade my experiences," she reflects. She clarifies, of course, that while the event was unbearably difficult for many, her focus is solely on her own journey. "I understand my experiences nurtured me into who I am today. It's a choice on how to approach things; it requires daily effort, but I wouldn’t change a thing. On a national level, I see it similarly. The terrorists aimed to harm the Jewish people, but they didn’t succeed; we’ve recovered and continue to live proud, fulfilling lives." Continuing her journey, Mally worked with at-risk youth, studied soul perception at the 'Meshivat Nefesh' Institute, which she eventually led. "Over time, I realized that I saw myself as a victim of circumstances rather than acknowledging my long journey and celebrating my progress. That same week, several friends, independently enthused about my wardrobe, asked for my help shopping. This had never happened before, and the clothes were the same ones I’d always worn. I didn't understand." "Looking in the mirror, I indeed saw a glow in myself. Today, after extensive study, I can say one’s inner feelings project outwardly. Outfits from the closet remain the same, but decisions on pairing and suitability are influenced by internal changes and my positive self-view." "This sounds like a sudden shift." "Transformation doesn't happen overnight," clarifies Mally. "It involved much self-work. I struggled with my scars. Over the years, I taught myself to face the mirror without focusing on the scars but instead searching for what I love about myself. I practiced self-acceptance exercises, infusing thoughts with faith and confidence." "I could remove the scars surgically," she continues, "but seeing them reminds me of my strength, courage, and growth. I’m grateful the scars couldn’t be completely erased. They reflect the path I’ve walked and how much I’ve bloomed." After Mally was injured, she feared, “Who would marry me looking like this?” Hashem arranged things differently. Her husband’s family is also from Emmanuel. As a teenager, he heard Mally say she would only marry a yeshiva boy. Years later, as a yeshiva boy, a mutual acquaintance introduced them, and he was nearly the first guy she met—leading to a happy marriage. "A lot of my positive self-image comes from him accepting and supporting me," she says. Mally has continued her path, becoming a stylist. She helps women find clothing choices that uplift rather than constrain them, integrating fashion with spiritual and personal growth. "Styling means dressing more accurately," Mally explains. "My interest grew from friends’ reactions to my choices, so I pursued formal studies in this field and found an incredible world." "Before styling, I wanted to work in soul care and specialized in it. Hashem guided me to a slightly different path, opening the souls of the women and girls I accompany. While we’re trying on clothes, seemingly dealing with the most material things, they share their deepest feelings and struggles. Each with personal challenges, an unkind remark lingering in their minds. Initially, I supported women unsure they could find flattering outfits. Witnessing how our clothing choices changed their self-view made me ask: ‘You want to work with the soul? Here, Hashem gave you this role.’ This aligns with my journey of self-image and self-worth. I found my calling." "In Judaism, clothing has a place of honor. While some in the wider world elevate clothing to primary importance, paying attention doesn’t mean focusing only there. Doing this work is an opportunity for women to introspect. I remind women in workshops, ‘You should celebrate being religious. It’s a privilege and a great challenge. Today, with techniques, one can dress stylishly yet modestly, honoring who they are. Though at times more challenging, the right technique makes modest fashion stunning." Mally shares anecdotes from home in the Jordan Valley, where Torah-observant and less observant families cohabitate. She recounts enthusiastic questions from non-religious friends about her modest wardrobe: "‘I want it too. It’s gorgeous, elegant, European-style,’ are reactions I get. I firmly believe modest fashion is a styled-filled challenge. Young women, I advise you to choose whom you follow and draw inspiration from. Styling and modesty aren’t contradictory – they can beautifully coexist."