We looked forward to this trip to Israel — where we would be joining women from all over the world — for so long. It was billed as a journey of a lifetime that would reawaken our passion and commitment for Judaism and Israel. That’s exactly what it was, and more.
The trip was organized by the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project, an organization established in 2008 with the purpose to empower Jewish women to change the world. Its mission is to create a Jewish women’s movement that inspires a renaissance of positive values that transforms women, their families and communities.
Our Kansas City contingent consisted of 20 women including our fearless leaders Esther Sokoloff and Bracha Schulgasser from the KC Kollel, who were the local sponsors of our trip. Assisting them were our amazing madrichim Amy Shapiro and Doris Mendel, who went last year as participants. Joining us were Adrianne Applebaum, Christa Balanoff, Jan Harness, Sharon Iseman, Jasmine Jacobs, Netta Krashin, Diane Margolies, Erin Nathan, Mindy Parmet, Judi Parnes, Heather Schlozman, Shari Sokol, Ellen Sommi and Erika Feingold-Velasquez.
Many of us had never been to Israel before and even those who had been years ago were very excited. We shared our bus with women from Manhattan, N.Y. It didn’t take long for our bus to obtain a nickname, MANKAN, and develop a motto, “no chicas left behind.” During the many hours spent on the bus touring, we were privileged to have very knowledgeable tour guides who shared with us their love and passion for Israel.
It’s very hard to describe all of our amazing experiences into one short article. One experience worth mentioning was our visit to The Mikveh of Tsfat, a world-acclaimed mikveh and “spiritual spa” that is one of the largest and most modern facilities in the country. As a group we were fortunate to experience the inner workings of this magnificent place and to meet the “serene Mikveh women.” We learned that the mikveh offers the individual, the community and the nation of Israel the remarkable gift of purity and holiness. One of the unique facets of this mikveh is it can accommodate physically challenged women so they, too, can enjoy this facet of our heritage.
As we made our way to Jerusalem, “Hatikvah” was playing throughout the bus. The city lights brought tears to our eyes.
Part of our mission involved study at Aish HaTorah. The variety of classes, the speakers and the view, which overlooks the Kotel, were truly amazing. We were truly inspired and transformed spiritually by all of the classes.
The one word that comes to mind when thinking about our Shabbat experience in Jerusalem is “wow!” It was everything we thought it would be and much more — from the beautiful meal at Aish HaTorah to the dancing and singing at the Kotel with 175 of our “sisters.” Complete strangers — teenagers, Israeli soldiers, mothers and daughters — joined our group to dance and sing because the experience was so moving and spiritual. We wish we could have every Shabbat at the Kotel.
Another one of our favorite experiences — but also the sweatiest, dirtiest and most physically tiring — was our journey to Masada and The Dead Sea. Nothing was more invigorating than standing at the top of Masada looking at our Holy Land. Instead of climbing the snake path to the top we took the cable cars. That allowed us more time to look at the view and learn about the history while walking in the footsteps of our ancestors. At the top of Masada, the group held a naming ceremony and invited any woman to participate who had never been given a Hebrew name. Several women from KC received their Hebrew names that morning.
Visiting the Dead Sea was an amazing experience. It was so incredible to lift our legs up and float with no raft; to cover ourselves with the mud from the sea from head to toe. Then we all bravely climbed up on camels, screaming with laughter for the entire ride.
The KC contingent was privileged to visit our sister city, Ramla. We felt a little bit at home when the bus pulled up and Alan and Debbie Sosland-Edelman got on it! We were able to see first-hand what the KC Jewish community and the Jewish Federation are doing there. These programs are really making a difference and are run by very hard working, dedicated individuals. More information about all these programs can be found at www.jewishkansascity.org.
We ended our day in Ramla by picking tomatoes, which were to be given to food pantries. This was a very new and different experience for most of the women in our group. We wish we could have stayed longer and helped more.
JWRP partners with a program called “Thank Israeli Soldiers” (www.thankisraelisoldiers.org). Its mission is to educate and empower soldiers throughout their IDF service and beyond. We visited an army base comprised mostly of women soldiers whose responsibility is to help watch one of Israel’s borders. We were struck by their youth, their maturity, pride and commitment to serve. Our group gave these brave soldiers gift bags and letters written by members of B’not Lev BBG. Heartfelt sentiments were exchanged as we thanked these soldiers for what they do.
Our time in Israel went by very quickly. Our days were busy and long, we were so connected to each other and our Jewish homeland. We were welcomed and embraced everywhere we went. We all felt “at home” in the Jewish state. We believe we were changed both inside and out. It was an experience we will never forget. One that as wives, mothers and Jewish people was empowering, enlightening, insightful, humbling and provided much needed spiritual nourishment for our souls.
We are sure we speak for the group when we say we cannot wait to return. Next year in Jerusalem.
Michelle Cole and Lenna Levitch were two of 20 women from Kansas City who participated in the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project mission to Israel July 22 through Aug. 1. The local contingent was sponsored by the KC Kollel.