Letters from Israel

I have only been in Israel for a few hours but a few observations:

1. Israel does not feel the same.  Everything feels subdued and incomplete.  At the same time, there is a palpable feeling of unity; a feeling of: “we are all in this together.”
2. It feels like we need to be here.  Yes, for ours neshamas (souls).  Yes, so our group can both bear witness and help in the small ways that we can.  But most of all, because you can sense how much our presence matters to Israelis.  Several Israelis have already personally thanked me and explained to me that our presence here means a lot to them.
3. This is going to be a powerful few days.

When we landed at Ben Gurion Airport, it was far less crowded than I had ever seen it in the past. The Arrivals Hall is lined with posters and images of the remaining hostages. It was an instant and chilling reminder of why we are here. Heartbreaking.  As we reached the end of the Hall, we were greeted (as always) by what must be one of the largest mezuzahs in the world. The mezuzah juxtaposed with the images of the hostages screamed out to me as the mezuzah is a symbol of safety and protection.  May God protect the 100+ hostages that remain alive in Gaza and may Israel bring them home safely. 

Upon leaving the airport we drove from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and checked in to our hotel.  Before dinner, we had some time to ourselves, so I went for a walk through the Mamilla Mall leading into the Old City. Just about an hour before, Alex Weinberg had sent me a few videos of our students in our Eric B. Jacob’s Early Childhood Education Center singing Am Yisrael Chai and other songs about Israel.  Standing in front of the walls of the Old City, I recorded a video for them.  As I continued to walk, I began to cry. I called my wife Becca and explained that I feel an overwhelming sense of need to be in Israel right now and therefore a deep sense of gratitude for this opportunity.  After our conversation, as I continued to walk, I found myself quietly singing, for quite some time: Acheinu. “Our brothers and sisters, the whole house of Israel, who are in distress and captivity, may God have compassion for them, and bring them from suffering to relief, from darkness to light, from bondage to redemption. Now, swiftly and soon.”

At dinner this evening, we heard from Gil Hoffman, the Executive Director of Honest Reporting, and previously the Chief Political Correspondent for the Jerusalem Post.  Gil was able to share an amazing perspective as someone who has been in Gaza, as someone who has conducted many interviews with Israeli leadership, and as someone who has seen it all with his own eyes.  Gil talked openly and honestly about the current war, about the many Israeli heroes you see on the street each day, the way Israel is portrayed daily both in the media and on social media, and more.  He told our group: “You are here because never again is now.  We are here to stay in October 8th forever and to help the world to see the truth about Israel.”

This is our work.