Tel Hashomer - Recovering from Trauma

On the third day of our tour we were privileged to visit two members of the IDF who had been injured in battle and were recovering in the rehabilitation department of the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv. Both were gracious in thanking our group for showing up, particularly Omer who mentioned how meaningful it was for American Jews to travel the long distance to show their solidarity with Israelis. Omer had gone through numerous surgeries and a life threatening infection but he was upbeat and proudly showing us pictures of his young daughter who is waiting at home for his return.

One of the most striking aspects of our visit to Sheba was that the person who accompanied us on the tour was a volunteer who had never been to the hospital until war broke out on October 7. She initially came to the hospital to see what she might do for those who were injured, securing supplies wherever they were needed. Because she spoke fluent English the hospital staff then asked her if she could take English speaking groups on tours of the hospital when they arrived and she agreed.

This spirit of volunteerism is one we encountered numerous times during our tour, exemplified by groups such as Brothers and Sisters in Arms and Zaka. To able to marshal the physical and emotional energy to provide numerous services to those in need despite the terrible trauma of October 7 revealed the incredible resiliency of the Israeli people. It also brought to mind the famous saying from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), Chapter 2:16 " Rabbi Tarfon used to say...It is not up to you to finish the task, but you are not free to avoid it."

The trauma that Israel has suffered from the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7 will have long lasting affects and recovery will be a slow and uneven process. It was impossible to know when we started our journey how our presence would be received by those who are mourning the loss of loved ones and healing from physical and emotional harms. The warm reception we received from all of the Israelis we visited was very heartening and confirmed that our trip was viewed in the spirit of Rabbi Tarfon's famous saying. We were all blessed to be able to participate in the mitzvah of a solidarity mission.

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Kikar HaChatufim - Hostages Square

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

Arrival, Sunset on the Mediterranean, and Achinoam Nini

By Diane Fisher Past Director, JCRC and Ritual Committee Chair, Shir Hadash Picture a beautiful sunset and the promenade on the beach in Tel Aviv, with a group of 19 travelers singing Eli, Eli and shecheheyanu. This is how we began a week of mitzvot and connection, of listening and engaging our Israeli mishpachah. The beauty and the pain, the love and the challenges will draw us closer to each other and provide us with stories we want to share back home. There will be many different stories, but we were grounded in the possibility of hope by beginning our visit with Noa (Achinoam Nini), the international singing phenomenon and passionate peace activist. Just WOW. I have been a huge fan so just a bit awestruck. As with every visit we are embraced with gratitude for coming at this time for solidarity rather than tourism– this heartfelt appreciation cannot be over emphasized. These are not sentimental people by nature. But they feel our solidarity deeply. Noa comes from a Yemeni family

Bruchim Haba'im

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.

South Bay Solidarity Mission to Israel

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