If you’ve ever been on a Jewish Federation mission to Israel, you understand that being part of such a journey is perhaps -----the----- most impactful way to experience Israel. That was certainly the case when our group of 17 went to Israel in October.
Amazing, community building, complicated … These were just some of the words members of our group used to describe our recent experience. Over the course of 10 days, we traversed the country — south to north — by bus, jeep, ATV, boat, bike and on foot.
Visiting Israel is always exciting and never ceases to amaze, but we all may have been even more passionate to visit the Jewish state this year because our visit came a few short months after the completion of Operation Protective Edge. The group experienced the emotional impact of overlooking Gaza, visiting with soldiers and seeing an Iron Dome installation. We discussed with Israelis the impact of living through the escalation of violence this summer. One inspiring speaker after another — including the director of the Israel Trauma Coalition — informed, alarmed and disarmed us with stories of Israeli resilience and persistence.
Every experience had a huge impact on us …
We visited Mount Herzl and grieved for fallen Israeli soldiers. Then, as we entered Jerusalem, we stopped to say Shehecheyanu. It was yet another very emotional experience because it was the first time six people in our group ever visited the Land of Milk and Honey. The rest of us keep coming back for more, as we can never get enough of Israel — it gets under your skin, into your psyche, and turns on a pride light in your brain.
We were privileged to get a private briefing with a Knesset member, which confirmed our frustration that the more you listen and learn, the more complicated the issues become. As one trip participant commented, “I’m not sure if the paradigm is a two-state solution, annexation, occupation or status quo.”
When you take a trip to Israel with the Jewish Federation you often get some special treatment. Besides meeting with a government official, we were lucky to get a security briefing from a young female officer in the Israel Defense Force while we were in the Golan Heights at Mount Bental. Standing right next to us were U.N. security forces patrolling the Syrian border.
We talked about serious issues, but we also had loads of fun. We ate and ate and ate some more, and yet we were continually asked if we had enough to eat! Good thing we danced some of it off during a private cruise across the Kinneret.
Our local mission leader, Debbie Granoff, led us with amazing spirit and kept us very organized down to the last detail. Our Israeli guide, Zalman Spivack, was intelligent, funny, kind and simply couldn’t understand why some of us were getting up in the middle of the night to watch the World Series! From beginning to end, we can’t say enough about the value of the full experience.
We started the mission as 17 individuals and ended with a bond we will never forget! Thanks to our fellow travelers and the Jewish Federation, which sustains and enhances Jewish life at home and around the world.
Esther Stein co-chaired the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Community Mission along with husband, Stewart Stein. Diane Davidner is a Jewish Federation volunteer who traveled to Israel with the group.