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Strength & Unity: YOF Embarks on Solidarity Mission to Israel

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JNF-JDate Singles Mission group at Rosh Hanikrah in Israel July 15, 2014.
JNF-JDate Singles Mission group at Rosh Hanikrah in Israel July 15, 2014.
During this time of war and increasing global anti-Semitism, our brothers and sister in Israel need our support more than ever. Yeshiva of Flatbush gathered their adult graduates, parents and friends who love Israel and desire to show their support in person, to embark on a solidarity mission there during this difficult time.

The group left on Sunday August 10th, led by Rabbi Naftali Besser, Joel Braverman High School Dean of Students, and Mrs. Susan Franco, alumna and parent. They traveled around Israel visiting hospitals, families, children centers and army bases, until returning Friday morning, August 15th.  This included a stop at Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, which is the closest facility to Gaza and the place where the majority of Israel soldiers are treated if injured on the battlefield.

Two days before departure, Rabbi Naftali Besser discussed the details and the purpose of YOF’s trip to Israel at this time of crisis, in an interview with Kristen Trampler of The Jewish Voice. Rabbi Besser commented on how the current situation in Israel is stirring up anti-Semitism around the world and given such circumstances it is so important for the Jewish community to come together and show their support.

Rabbi Besser said, “There are two important components to the purpose of our mission; we need to bring to Israel ‘chizuk’ and ‘achdut’, which means strength and unity. We must show our support for the Israeli forces, and show the world the solidarity and unity of the Jewish community.”

Rabbi Besser explained that YOF has made trips to Israel in the past and this especially important. Many former YOF students are currently fighting in the IDF; unfortunately the group will most likely not have the chance to visit with them given the ongoing war. Rabbi Besser said that over 40 people will be going on the Solidarity mission from Sunday night to Friday morning.

They plan to bring their love and support to hospitals, children centers and bases; offering to help in any way possible. The group is scheduled to visit four to five Israeli army bases, and Rabbi Besser has hopes that circumstances will permit the visits, although nothing on their itinerary could be set in stone given the constant turmoil currently plaguing the area. The Jewish Voice looks forward to following up with Rabbi Besser when he returns with the YOF mission team.

Since the ground invasion into Gaza by Israeli troops began on July 8th, many other Jewish organizations have also sent solidarity missions to Israel to offer their support.

The Jewish National Fund (JNF) has had multiple groups go on trips to Israel since mid-July. The L’Chaim Solidarity Mission departed for Israel on July 27th to show support for residents there and to meet with leaders and government officials.

“It is crucial that we show our support for and unity with the Israeli people,” said JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson before the group left.  “I hope all join with me and mission chairs Lauren Mescon, Melinda Wolf, Vivian Grossman and Vice Chair Rabbi Brian Glusman as we lead this important journey. Now more than ever, we must stand with Israel and her people.”

The participants in the L’Chaim Solidarity Mission engaged with residents of the Northern Negev who shared their personal stories and experiences, heard exclusive security updates and attended insider briefings with top Israeli officials, volunteered at JNF’s Indoor Recreation Center in Sderot, spoke with Iron Dome IDF representatives for a unique look at this remarkable system, and helped deliver much needed supplies to Israeli fire fighters and IDF soldiers and heard their stories of bravery and courage.

JNF has continued to stand with Israel, by proceeding with its many scheduled trips to Israel to show support. The JNF-JDate Singles Mission to Israel left the U.S. on July 13th and returned on July 19th. Another annual mission made up of young professionals from across the U.S., the JNFuture Leadership Institute Mission, also departed for Israel July 27th-31st.

Several dozen congregational rabbis and business leaders representing The Orthodox Union departed for Israel on a solidarity mission with the Jewish State, as it fights to end a barrage of thousands of rockets fired on its citizens by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The group, led by Orthodox Union Senior Managing Director Rabbi Steven Weil and Orthodox Union Executive Vice President, Emeritus, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, left JFK Int’l Airport on Tuesday July 24th and returned on Tuesday, July 29th.

In a joint statement, Rabbis Weinreb and Weil declared: “We are working with our staff on the ground who are supporting the victims who have been wounded, traumatized and impacted by Hamas. We will be visiting wounded soldiers, making shiva visits and letting the people of Israel know that the OU is there for them. We will let them know that they are first and foremost in our prayers, thoughts and actions. Above all, we will express the OU’s support for our soldiers who are risking their lives for the Jewish people.”

On Monday, July 14th, in an expression of solidarity with the government, defense forces and people of Israel, a delegation of prominent American Jewish leaders of the Conference of Presidents departed for Israel.  They met with top government and military officials to gain insights and first-hand knowledge of Operation Protective Edge, as Israel takes the steps necessary to defend its citizens against the barrage of rocket fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza.   They also traveled to areas impacted by the rockets and offered support and unity with Israeli civilians and communities.

“We know that we speak for all of the members of the Conference of Presidents and for the friends of Israel from every sector of the American populace, in expressing our solidarity and unity with the people of Israel. We pray for the safety and security of every individual, of every soldier and civilian put in harm’s way, and for the government which carries such tremendous responsibilities. We express our support especially to the families living in Israel south, who have once again come under constant bombardment by rockets from Hamas-controlled Gaza.  This is an intolerable situation and Israel must take whatever steps necessary to protect its citizens under attack and to put an end to these attacks across an international boundary.  We are one with you and will demonstrate that by our presence even if only for a few days.”

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