Upcoming Women’s Trips
There are currently no scheduled trips. Please check back for future updates
May 2008 Women’s Trip
Women’s Trip offers a Unique Way to Connect with the Land and its People
By Cindy Berg
On May 1, 2008, 18 women from the Toronto area, and 2 from New Jersey embarked on the third One Family Fund Women’s Mission to Israel. As in previous Missions, our participants connected with the land of Israel and its people in a most unique way. In addition to connecting with terror victims, we were also privileged to participate in a diverse range of physical and spiritual activities.
Our trip included a spectacular day of hiking through the heart of the Jerusalem Mountains, visiting wineries and enjoying an alfresco lunch at a local cheese farm. On another day we attended a dance class with a member of the famous Bat Sheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv’s chicest neighbourhood, Neve Tzedek. We enjoyed an evening of spirited Israeli dancing at the Caesarea Amphitheatre by the Sea and a private visit to artist Ilana Goor’s home and studio in Old Jaffa, where her art comes to life.
At the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, a pluralistic research and leadership training institute fostering new directions for Jewish thought and education, we spent a morning learning about women in the Bible with Rabbi Rachel. Another highlight of our trip was a visit to Media Central, an organization that provides support services for many journalists in the region, which was most informative.
While visiting the One Family Fund Centre in Jerusalem, we were treated to a rehearsal of the Bereaved Men’s Choir. Each choir member had lost a child in a terrorist attack and has been able to find comfort in each other’s company while creating music. It was one of the most moving evenings of our trip.
On Israel’s 60th Independence Day, we celebrated by hosting many families from the town of Sderot, which is constantly attacked by rockets fired from Gaza. With the generous support of Yids on Wheels, we were able to bring these victims to a safe area to hold a wonderful picnic. The Dahan family of Sderot expressed their appreciation for our visit on behalf of all the residents in these words: “Much appreciation for the moments of enjoyment and much love that you caused, for the abundance of the Israeli delicacies but most important, thank you for the solidarity and caring for the people of Sderot.”
Hosting victims of terror at Israeli restaurants provided a chance to meet incredibly brave women and men and children who have all suffered extreme emotional and physical stress. While dining with the victims, they shared the horrific details of their stories and helped us to better understand their reality. We exchange contact information and continue to provide that important support with our One Family friends after we return home. We left feeling uplifted at having brought help where it is so needed and appreciated.
