KA CC Archive Feb 2024

When the attacks of October 7th occurred, the reaction amongst those who have worked to defend Israel, those who had already served in the Israeli Defense Forces were now part of the, מילואים, milu’im, reserves, rushed to return to the land.  In fact, more people reported for duty than were actually called up.  In the first few days there was a lot of fear for the safety of the people of Israel and some civilians left or tried to leave the country.  We saw many Israeli families coming to stay with American relatives, a number of Jewish days schools opening their doors to new students, and requests from new people in the community who were looking for work or homes or resources.  Soon after those initial few weeks, however, people yearned to return home. And not just those who are permanent citizens of Israel. 

Jews around the world, who call Israel their homeland even if they’ve never lived there, were aching to get to Israel, to volunteer in the fields, to give blood, to help in medical facilities, to visit with grieving families, to witness the aftermath in kibbutzim and moshavim in the area surrounding gaza.  I, too, have been aching.  

This is why I will be traveling with the Tampa JCCs and Federation on a Mission trip to Israel in the next few weeks.  During this short trip we will be helping those who, in a groundroots operation, organized everything from medical supplies, psychological support, clothing and equipment for displaced families from the Gaza border area. We will visit and hear stories from wounded soldiers and citizens, families of hostages, and those who have displaced from their homes because of fighting close to Gaza or from the North of Israel. We will pick vegetables in the field since so many foreign workers are no longer here to do so.   We will visit areas damaged by rockets and how these communities are dealing with this on-going issue.  These are only half the places we will be visiting in this 5 day visit.

I want you to come along with me.  Both physically and metaphorically.   If you are able and willing to join us, please visit, jewishtampa.com/israel-mission.  I know for many of you, however, this isn’t a realistic option, so I will be trying my hardest to document and share reflections with you during the trip.  

You can also come along with me by writing letters to any of the groups that I mentioned above.  Some of us have written so many letters already, it feels redundant, but there are still so many people to deliver love to and it is important to continue sending those notes so they know we still care.  

I am also working to find out what is needed physically that I can bring along with me.  I will supply a list in the coming days.

Lastly, as I visit the Kotel on the last day of the trip, I would be happy to deliver any notes you’d like for me to bring and place in the wall.

Please place your messages in an envelope and label who the message is for on the outside.  You can drop them off in the office or in the baskets in the lobby.