Letters from Israel

Day 2 of our Solidarity Mission to Israel was certainly powerful and impactful.  We began this morning with an emotional meeting with Jacqui and Yaron Vital whose daughter, Adi Vital-Kaploun, was murdered in her safe room by Hamas terrorists while defending her 3-year-old son Negev and 6-month-old son Eshel on October 7th.  Adi was a hero through and through but could not survive the brutal attack on her kibbutz, Kibbutz Holit.  Negev and Eshel were taken hostage along with a neighbor, Avital, only to miraculously be set free just before entering Gaza. Jacqui and Yaron’s family story, and Adi’s story are stories of resilience, strength, and courage that must be shared.  I will certainly share more of the Vital family story when I return to New Jersey.  

Next, we went to volunteer at an organization called Pantry Packers where we spent an hour packing food for the hungry in Israel.  Pantry Packers is an impressive organization that feeds 37,000 families a month in Israel.  Since October 7th, they have also been helping survivors and families in need providing much-needed money and resources to help get them on their feet again.  Next on our journey, we saw Hadassah’s new Rehab Hospital which is still in the process of being built but is already helping wounded soldiers in all ways possible.  This afternoon we spent some time at the Kotel.  I was able to place notes people gave me in the Wall and record a video message for our TBS students.  It was powerful to be at the Kotel and two things in particular struck me. First, it was not very crowded because it was raining, but almost every person I saw praying, hand on the wall was also crying, some were sobbing.  The mood was subdued if not somber.  Second, they have installed a Memorial at the Kotel (see photos) remembering all of the souls murdered on October 7th.  So many names.  So many yarzheit candles (we each lit a candle), a candle for each innocent person that was killed.  This evening we met with Talia Levenon, the CEO of the Israel Trauma Coalition.  She spoke about the immense trauma Israeli’s have experienced, the trauma that will remain for a very long time.  She also spoke about resilience and defined it as “knowing you are vulnerable but strong.” 

An uplifting note: This evening I got to see Aviva Lager, a TBS 11th grader who is spending this semester in doing Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim, Ramah’s high school semester abroad in Israel.  It was great to see Aviva and hear about her experiences thus far. I am SO proud of Aviva and other TBS teens and young adults who are currently living in Israel.  To choose to study and live in Israel right now is a real statement of Ahavat Yisrael (love of Israel) and commitment to Am Yisrael (the people of Israel)

A few takeaways I have from today:

• The trauma and mental health issues in Israel are significant.  Israelis are reeling.  They need our help and support now more than ever.
• Israelis, especially according to Talia Levenon’s definition, are resilient.  
• There is a strength among the Israeli people that is simply incredible.
• The stories we are hearing are so important and must be shared.  Adi Vital-Kaploun’s story and so many others must be shared.  I also spent a lot of time today talking to our security guard/medic, Yan.  Yan was recently discharged from his army service.  He served in a rescue unit.  He spent a month in Gaza and before that, he spent three weeks in the kibbutzim that were hit the hardest by Hamas on October 7th.  His job was to recover bodies and body parts and help identify the dead.  He shared stories and details with me that I am still processing and I am not sure I should share on Facebook.  Absolutely horrific.  Yan is only 21 years old.
• Last night when we met with Gil Hoffman he said:  “There are heroes all around in Israel, walking down every street.  So many unsung heroes.”  Yan is a hero.  I told him that today as I shook his hand.  He responded: “I don’t think of myself as a hero.  I just wanted to do something to help that’s all.”  To which I said: “Yan, you are absolutely a hero.  Thank you for being a hero, especially during such a dark time.”  He nodded his head and smiled.
• There is so much more to share, which I will, but for now I prepare for tomorrow which, I imagine, will be the most difficult day of the mission as we head down to the Gaza Envelope to bear witness with our eyes, ears, and hearts.