Travel Journal - Mission to Israel - June 2024

Yesterday we revisited the terrible events of October 7. And that was the focus of our first session this morning which was an emotional meeting with Jacqui and Yaron Vital.  The Vital’s 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 thankfully be set free just before entering Gaza. With tears in our eyes, we each gave Jacqui and Yaron hugs and then told them that to support their family, TBS is going to pay for Negeb and Eshel’s birthday celebrations this year - to ensure that family and friends can be together and the boys can have a day of joy amidst these challenging times. Jacqui and Yaron’s family story, and Adi’s story are stories of resilience, strength, and courage that must be shared.  We will certainly share more of the Vital family story when we return from our trip.

The rest of the morning, our focus shifted from bearing witness to the tragedies of October 7th, to trying to do our small part to help.  We stayed in Jerusalem and did what we could to help with our hands and also with tzedakah, from members of the trip, and from money that has been generously donated since October 7th to our TBS AmYisrael Hai Fund. 

First, we went to an organization called Thank Israeli Soldiers. It is a grassroots organization that gets supplies to soldiers and gets it to them fast. We brought bags of requested items to donate from the U.S. and we spent time sorting donations, writing letters to soldiers, and heard first-hand stories from Israeli volunteers, and heroes in their own right, Rivka and Tova. Rivka stood up on a chair and told her story about how she her family lost a loved one at the Nova festival, while at the same time, her son was able to save so many others there.  She explained that she believes that this is a moment in Jewish history when we all need to step up and ask what we can do to play our part and then she said: “Together we will do what we cannot do alone.” Rivka and Tova’s resilience, strength, and dedication to the soldiers and Am Yisrael were unbelievably inspiring.  

We then went to a place called Tachlit. Tachlit works tirelessly to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to those in need and has shifted gears to ensure displaced families and families of those in the army have the food they need. David, one of the leaders of this organization, sat with us to share more.  He explained that before the war, they were providing food to 1,50 families in need and since the war began, they have added 700 families that they provide food for. So inspiring.

For lunch, we went to the National Institutions Building, which houses the offices of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish Agency for Israel, The Jewish National Find, and Karen HaYesod.  There we met with Yizhar Hess, the Vice Chair of the World Zionist Organization, who reflected on the state of the country right now saying that in a way, Israelis and the Jewish world are still in shiva from October 7.   He also said that the last eight months have been the hardest period since the state of Israel was established.  Yizhar explained the importance of the WZO and the role we must play as supporters of Mercaz, the Conservative Movement’s Zionist Arm.

We spent the latter half of the afternoon in the Old City of Jerusalem. Our first stop was the Kotel.  We davened minha together at Azarat Yisrael, the egalitarian section of the Kotel, spent time at the respective men's and women’s sections of the Kotel, and then had time to explore the Old City.

Our final program of the day was a meeting with Debra Slonim, the Director of International Relations of the Israel Trauma Coalition.  Debra spoke about the immense trauma Israelis have experienced; trauma that will remain for a very long time.  The Israel Trauma Coalition is doing everything it can to respond.  Before October 7, they had 250 therapists who specialized in trauma therapy.  Now, they have 4,000, and have provided trauma therapy to more than 25,000 Israelis.  There is a lot of healing that needs to be done; much of which has not even had an opportunity to begin with the war still ongoing.  Even still, Debra ended on a positive note saying: “Despite everything, the people are resilient here that is incredible.  And when they have the tools and support they need, which we are working hard to provide every day, we know that we will get through this.”

Another tremendously impactful day.  And here are some of my major takeaways:

• The word resiliency came up time and time again today.  The resiliency of the Israeli people is on full display and is truly remarkable.
• EVERYONE is doing their part - Israelis have stepped up for one another in countless ways since October 7 and it is amazing to witness.
• Small acts of kindness and support matter. We have heard repeatedly, how much it means to Israelis that we are here, how grateful they are for our hugs and support, and that every act counts, from what feels like a simple letter to a soldier that they end up carrying with them in their pocket into battle, to tremendous acts of generosity and tzedakah. 

Until tomorrow, Laila Tov and Am Yisrael Chai!