Itay’s Story: The Freedom In Returning Home
From Madrid to the front lines: How one of our own discovered that true freedom means coming home
On this Fourth of July weekend, as we celebrate and reflect on the idea of freedom — its promise, its cost, its meaning — we’re reminded that freedom isn’t just about symbols or celebrations. It’s about choices, responsibilities, journeys that shape who we are. Today, we’re sharing the story of Itay — someone whose path took him across borders, through challenges, and ultimately back home, where he realized that sometimes, the truest kind of freedom comes not from leaving, but from returning.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always had one core dream: freedom. Not the kind you stumble upon — the kind you earn. For me, freedom meant independence — the ability to choose my own path, live life on my terms, and stand on my own two feet.
Maybe that drive came early because of my story. My parents divorced when I was only eight months old, in what became a long and difficult process. As their only child, I felt the weight of that experience — and even as a young boy, I internalized one deep truth: I would do whatever it takes to shape a life of independence and meaning.
I served as a combat soldier in the Nahal Special Forces, and to this day I continue to serve in active reserve duty — including after October 7th. But even before the war, I was driven by something more: a hunger to grow, to explore the world, and to build something of my own.
During COVID, while studying Business Administration at Reichman University, I joined Segment-IT and worked side-by-side with the CEO to help launch a new fintech company. That company — RTMI — is now one of Israel’s fastest-growing non-bank lenders, moving millions of dollars every year. But I still felt like something was missing.
That’s when I made another bold move — I decided to live abroad.
I was accepted to the AWS Talent Program and relocated to Madrid. There, I rebuilt everything from scratch: new language, new culture, new home. I worked with startups and global organizations across Europe, representing AWS in high-level engagements and major events. I traveled, learned, failed, adapted, succeeded. I found myself speaking at Jewish fundraising events for Beit Halochem, helping Spanish Jews support Israel’s wounded veterans. Even far from home, my Israeli and Jewish identity stayed at the center of who I was.
And then, on October 7th, everything changed.
I had returned to Tel Aviv for a month-long holiday visit — and in one devastating morning, the entire course of my life shifted. I lost friends. My younger brother, a soldier in regular service, was sent to the front. I rejoined my unit and was called up for reserve duty in the special forces. I didn't hesitate.
There are moments in life when a mirror is placed in front of you — and you have no choice but to decide who you are and what truly matters. For me, that moment was crystal clear: I wasn’t going back to Madrid. I was staying. I was home.
In the following days, I used every international connection I had to raise donations and secure high-grade combat equipment for my unit. I did it while serving, while grieving, while adapting to a new chapter I hadn’t seen coming.
And yet, I don’t see it as a sacrifice — I see it as a return.
Today, thanks to AWS’s support, I continue to work in Israel, managing relationships with leading enterprise companies and helping them harness the power of the cloud to grow, innovate, and stay resilient — even in wartime. My work has a new sense of purpose now, grounded in something deeper.
Outside of AWS, I’m a real estate investor, a marathon runner, and someone who’s quietly been building real expertise in cybersecurity — spending my free time studying, experimenting, and staying ahead of the curve in a space that fascinates me both professionally and personally.
My story isn’t just about tech. It’s about identity, commitment, and believing in something greater than yourself. I left Israel to chase freedom — and I found it not in escape, but in return. In responsibility. In people. In home.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: freedom doesn’t mean being alone. It means standing tall in the place you choose to be — and doing the work to make it better.
We thank Itay for sharing his story, and wish us all freedom and a happy 4th of July. If you want to connect with Itay, here’s his email (itayroma@gmail.com) and LinkedIn.
👉 Itay’s unit, Gadsar 5 Recon Support Company, continues to serve on the front lines. If you’d like to support their efforts, you can donate here: https://givechak.co.il/Gadsar5 - every contribution makes a difference. Make sure to email Itay at itayroma@gmail.com to ensure the funds go directly to his team 👥
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