Many of the women are on their first trip to Israel

Eve Cohen, Women’s Alliance President
This is my 11th trip to Israel, and I have seen and done just about everything that a visitor to Israel does. But what is new and different and magical this time is the experience of bringing women who have never been to Israel before; and watching them open their eyes and hearts and souls to the miracle that is this state. I have seen them laugh and seen them cry; I have seen them support and encourage each other; and I have seen the seeds of service to the Jewish people take root and grow before my eyes. Their Israel is my Israel — a place where our brothers and sisters nurture the future leaders of our children and our children’s children — and I know now after the week that we do indeed have a brilliant future to look forward to.
Left: Group picture

Friday, March 16, 2007

Yad Vashem and memorial service

The journey through this museum began with pre-war Jewish life in Europe and then continued on the downward spiral with photos and video clips, artifacts, and survivor stories. “The museum was a powerful evocation of our feelings. It reminded us of our purpose as Jews to replace those who were lost, and the equally important mission to replace their progeny and their descendents,” said Alyssa Taubman Rothman, daughter of Lola Goldstein Taubman, Holocaust survivor from Svalova (Soyra), Czechoslovakia. The women then held a memorial service in the outdoor monument commemorating communities destroyed in the Holocaust.
Left: Group at Yad Vashem

Women explore Machane Yehuda and a neighborhood adventure

The participants explored the crowded market Machane Yehuda as the city was preparing for Shabbat. The smell of freshly baked challah and rugellach filled the air. Overflowing baskets of dried fruits, candies and spices line the narrow marketplace. After lunch, the women embarked on a competitive neighborhood adventure. The teams followed intricate directions and answered questions. Susan Guthart, who was on the winning team of five, says winning felt really good, “We all jumped up and down. My favorite part of the scavenger hunt was counting as many Jewish stars as we could find all along the route.”
Left: Baskets at Machane Yehuda

Thursday, March 15, 2007

History comes alive on spiritual journey

History came to life Thursday as the women of the Federation took a walking tour of the Old City. Guide Muki Jankelowitz explained various archeological sites and related them to current times and issues. “Walking through Jerusalem and seeing the history that surprises you around every corner, we’re lucky to be able to walk through it,” said Marilyn Dobbs Higuera, Women’s Alliance Campaign chair.
Left: Historical tour

Women pray at the Kotel

The walking tour ended with a spiritual visit to the Kotel, the Western Wall, where the women put prayers in the wall from the children at Brandeis Hillel Day School. “Time folded in on itself and I connected with the memories and the people who had been there before,” explained Deborah Stadtner, who has never before been to Israel. “It was a very spiritual and moving experience and an even deeper spiritual experience in the rain.”
Left: Kotel in the Rain

Snow and hail in Jerusalem

Despite beautiful temperatures in the Bay Area, the 25 women woke up to snow in Jerusalem. The group persevered through rain, sleet, hail and snow to pray at the Wailing Wall. Following lunch overlooking the Old City, the women explored the Israel Museum. The highlight for many was seeing and learning about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the model of the Old City. “It was an amazing collection. The clarity of the writing was remarkable,” said Carol Weitz, currently on her third trip to Israel.
Left: Snow in Jerusalem

80-year old Orthodox feminist Amuta member educates women

Israel Amuta member and Orthodox feminist professor Alice Shalvi spoke to the participants about the importance of women in Israeli government and society. “If only women were more involved, particularly in the negotiations (for peace), I think we would see a different picture,” said Shalvi. Currently, 14 percent of the Knesset (Israeli government) is made up of women. Shalvi outlined various women’s political groups and encouraged the separation of religion and state. “It took me a long time to learn that sometimes evolution is better than revolution.”
Left: Alice Shlavi

Women party until early morning at Ehud Banai concert

Thursday night the women experienced a night out Jerusalem style at a concert featuring Ehud Banai. The popular Israeli singer crooned in the style of an Israeli Dave Matthews Band until 1:30 a.m. “It was wonderful to be in a room full of Jewish youth appreciating one of their folk heroes singing in Hebrew. The audience was electrified and singing along,” said Jamie Myers who is returning to Israel after 36 years.
Left: Ehud Banai in concert

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Children dance and drum with Federation women

On Thursday the women traveled to Ha-Megenim Elementary School in Kiryat Shmona, funded by JCF. The children put on a dance performance and drum circle in the bomb shelters where people took shelter during the war. “I want to thank you very much for your longstanding partnership. Together with you this school is going to make a big difference,” said one of the teachers. The women and children also planted a garden together and ended the work with a blessing.
Left: Ha-Megenim children drumming

Manhigut Esre teens tell about their wartime experiences

The women met with the Israeli teens in the Manhigut Esre Leadership program, a parallel group to the Diller Teen Fellows. The teens told about their experiences during the war and their volunteer work planting trees in cooperation with the Federation. The two groups then watched a documentary about a young local Israeli soldier killed during the war. There was not a dry eye among the teens or the women.
Left: Manhigut teens and SF women at lunch

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Working toward a better Israel

JCF Israel Director Gila Noam spoke to the Mission group Tuesday morning. “Israel is in the midst of the worst social crisis the country has ever known. One in every three Jews and every second Arab child are growing up in poverty.” And secular Jews have lost touch with their Jewish identity. “Fortunately, Federation is bringing us that much closer to realizing the dream behind the State of Israel” through programs promoting democracy, pluralism and economic opportunity for all citizens. “Federation is setting a great example for Israeli philanthropy.”
Left: JCF Israel Director Gila Noam

JCF helps poor Bedouin families in the Negev

Participants heard Bedouin mothers’ gratitude for JCF’s Echad program, which is enabling them for the first time ever to meet as a group of women, speak about their feelings, and learn from each other and a social worker about parenting, child development and nutrition. One mother thanked JCF: “You have taught us how to listen to our children and realize our role as their teachers.” Echad trains preschool and kindergarten teachers to detect and address the high rate of growth and developmental deficiencies among Bedouin children.
Left: Group meets with Lakiya women from Echad Project

Monday, March 12, 2007

Israeli defense correspondent outlines threats to Israel

Day two began with an overview of the political situation and security issues with Alon Ben David, senior defense correspondent for Israeli Channel 10. Despite the war over the summer, “the country feels much safer today. That is our major achievement in the last six years,” said Ben David. He also expressed that Iran is the greatest threat to Israel’s security.
Left: Speaker Alon Ben David

Women walk into history in Neve Zedek

The participants traveled to Independence Hall, located in the home of Meir Dizengoff, the first mayor of Tel Aviv. Here David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, announced the Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. Many women were visibly moved while listening to the recording of “Hatikva” sung for the first time as the national anthem.
Left: Women at Independence Hall

80-year-old feminist artist lunches with Lions

Following a walking tour of the Neve Zedek neighborhood, six Israeli Lions of Judah gathered at the Rokach House museum. The women enjoyed a lively luncheon with 80-year-old Lea Majaro-Mintz, one of Israel’s first feminist artists. Israeli Lion of Judah chair Ruth Salomy spoke of her happiness and appreciation toward the women visiting.
Left: Lion lunch speaker Lea Majaro-Mintz

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Women arrive in Tel Aviv to begin a six-day journey

The Mission kicked off in Tel Aviv Sunday evening with a welcome reception at the David Intercontinental Hotel. Liki Abrams, JCF board member, and Eve Cohen, Women’s Alliance president, were there to greet the 25 pilgrimage participants. For many of the women, this is their first trip to Israel.
Left: Welcome reception with Liki and Eve

Deputy mayor of Tel Aviv personifies tradition and transformation

The 25 women walked to Maganda Restaurant in Old Jaffa for a festive opening dinner and to hear Yael Dayan, deputy mayor of Tel Aviv, highlighted the somber mood among Israelis today. Dayan also praised JCF’s work in Israel and encouraged us not to give up hope. “You’ll see dreams coming true again. Much of this is thanks to you,” said Dayan.
Left: Welcome dinner with Speaker Yael Dayan