On February 19, eighteen members of the South Bay Jewish community arrived in Israel for a mission of solidarity. Rabbis and professionals, past and current lay leaders from synagogues, schools, Unexeptable, and Jewish Silicon Valley joined together to bear witness, visit the sick and comfort the mourners. This blog will feature posts from participants to document and share what we have witnessed and experienced.
By Josh Berkenwald, Rabbi of Congregation Sinai in San Jose, CA Our last stop for today, Tuesday, February 20, was at Kikar HaChatufim , Hostages Square, in front of the Tel Aviv Art Museum. What a powerful and heavy place it is. Filled with signs, posters, artwork, personal messages, and protesters. The long, empty Shabbat table is still arranged for the hostages who are still missing. A digital billboard counts the seconds since they were taken on October 7. One art installation, The Tunnel , by Roni Levevi, “simulates the terrible reality into which our hostages have been thrown, while a light at the end of the tunnel is a beacon of hope.” It is covered, inside and out, with messages demanding their return and prayers for their protection. A group of women from the organization Women Wage Peace stand with signs. They gather every day from 5 – 6:30 pm to demand the return of the hostages at any cost. As we arrived, one older woman carried on an emotional conversation with
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