Via Sabra - Unfolding Israel

09/09/2024

Gold medalist Moran Samuels face says it all. Israel celebrates the best Paralympic performance in 20 years! Israel’s athletes brought home an incredible 10 medals, showing the world the true meaning of determination, resilience, and national pride. Here’s to our champions who inspire us all. Am Israel Chai!

23/08/2024

Entering this Shabbat with a timely song written by Naomi Shemer marking the 20th anniversary of her passing this summer.

Lu Y’hi,

“There is still a white sail on the horizon
Opposite a heavy black cloud
All that we ask for - may it be

And if in the evening windows
The light of the holiday candles flickers
All that we seek - may it be

May it be, may it be - Please - may it be
All that we seek - may it be.

What is the sound that I hear
The cry of the shofar and the sound of drums
All that we ask for - may it be

If only there can be heard within all this
One prayer from my lips also
All that we seek - may it be

May it be...

Within a small, shaded neighborhood
Is a small house with a red roof
All that we ask for, may it be

This is the end of summer, the end of the path
Allow them to return safely here
All that we seek, may it be

May it be...

And if suddenly, rising from the darkness
Over our heads, the light of a star shines
All that we ask for, may it be

Then grant tranquility and also grant strength
To all those we love
All that we seek, may it be

May it be...”

07/08/2024

Olympics 2024, We did it! GO ISRAEL 🇮🇱

11/07/2024

Their music lifted us up this past week, and their presence supported so many Israelis they met along the way - soldiers, families of hostages, Reform rabbis, cantors, and leaders, Knesset Members, social activists, and more. We are grateful for the opportunity we had to facilitate their mission. Read more about the amazing visit of the American Conference of Cantors-Guild of Temple Musicians Convention as covered by JPost.

After October 7, the trip became about fostering understanding with the people of Israel in this dark time and bringing that understanding home to the US. 

09/07/2024

05/07/2024

So much amazing work being shared on the daily blog by participants on the Tikvatenu II solidarity mission with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. Click through to experience the impact of volunteering to support and rebuild Israel.

04/07/2024

We love seeing all the daily posts being shared by participants of the Tikvatenu II solidarity trip by Minneapolis Jewish Federation. Finding meaning and impact in all elements of your trip here is what we work hard to accomplish. Keep sharing please! It brings much needed support and hope to all of us here in Israel and to anyone considering coming.

04/07/2024

What a beautiful transition from the pretrip in Northern Israel to the opening event at ANU with panelists and participants all eager to share, learn, support, sing and pray in the coming days. We're excited to welcome you and share the meaning and creativity we've invested into your trip here!

28/06/2024

To the leadership and members Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh who just completed a solidarity and volunteer mission to Israel with us - thank you!

Thank you for sharing your support for Israel, for opening your hearts to everyone you met during your trip, for extending your generosity to volunteers, survivors, refugees, and families here all working toward a better Israel, and for choosing Via Sabra to make this meaningful trip happen for you all. We look forward to spending more days with you here in Israel, both in challenging and peaceful times, and supporting each other through it all.

Reach out to plan your federation, synagogue, individual, family or community’s next solidarity and volunteer mission to Israel - PM, email [email protected], or visit our site for more: www.viasabra.com

cc Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

19/06/2024

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with FIDF in creating an unforgettable trip to Israel this past month. 🇮🇱

These young leaders, from across the US, are championing ways to support and connect with Israel’s soul. We were proud to stand with you in solidarity of the IDF, Israeli activists, changemakers and more. L’hitraot! Until next time 🙌

11/06/2024

Amid complicated days of joy, relief, hope, despair, and sorrow here in Israel, tonight begins the holiday of Shavuot which marks the giving of the Torah; the festival of the harvest; and the festival of the first fruits. Amid these traditions is one thing we all share and always brings us together: food rituals. And for us, Shavuot, is synonymous with cheesecake.

So we're sharing this recipe which is a favorite of Romi Gonen, who is still being kept in captivity, from the book, Shavuot of Longing, Their Recipes on Our Table by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum:

Romi (23) was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival. We ask you to join us in advocating for her release, and if you bake her favorite cheesecake, please share, tag and raise awareness of their plight.

* White Chocolate Cheesecake *

Yield: 10 servings | Prep time: 20 minutes | Total time: 90 minutes + 2 hours to cool

Crust ingredients:
6 ounces (150 grams) graham crackers or petite beurre biscuits - 2 cups crushed
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Grated zest of half a lemon

Filling ingredients:
8 ounces (3 packages or 750 grams) cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
6 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
10 1/2 ounces (300 grams) white chocolate

Crust preparations:
Mixed the crushed cookies with the melted butter and lemon zest. Press into a parchment-lined baking pan with the back of a spoon.
Freeze while you prepare the filling.

Filling preparations:
Preheat the oven to 280 F (140 C). Place a deep pan on the bottom of the oven and fill with boiling water (to create a steam-rich environment).
Mix together (do not whisk!) the cream cheese, sugar and eggs.
In a microwave or in a double boiler, heat the cream and white chocolate until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
Add the chocolate mixture to the cheese mixture and mix well.
Pour the filling over the crust and bake for about 1 1/2 hours until the cake is set around the edges and still jiggles slightly in the center (it is not supposed to turn golden brown).
Cool thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight).
Scatter fresh berries on top for added decoration and a touch of tangy sweetness.

19/05/2024

It's hard to believe that Shavuot is just around the corner. A joyous and bountiful holiday, that also ushers in Summer, we still find ourselves facing heartbreaking updates about the war almost daily and praying for the release of all the hostages immediately.

Shavuot celebrates the gift of the Torah to the Jewish people and the culmination of our wandering in the desert. It bookends our historic journey by rooting us in the land of Israel; essentially it celebrates everything that makes us the Jewish people.

Here in Israel, Shavuot traditions have woven themselves into the growth of modern State of Israel - glorifying the kibbutzim as early settlements that sprouted for new immigrants; hailing agricultural initiatives that 'made the desert bloom'; and feasting on our bounty of local crops - found in the seven species - as symbols of plenty and riches.

This Shavuot, our curated Gift Box showcases the diverse foods, peoples, and cultures that connect us all to the Land of Israel - deeply, spiritually, and joyfully - even in times of intense challenge.

We invite you to bring the Seven Species of Israel - from the north to the south - into your homes and hearts this holiday, and support a range of Israeli businesses.

One of our favorite items in our Shavuot Gift Box is this calligraphic mandala by Israeli artist Shiri Lanzer. This print features the Hebrew word Israel ישראל in the middle andת as words for humanity, courage, unity, prayer, comfort, resilience, life, recovery, community, healing, and more swirl around the center in shades of blue, the mandala acts as a meditative prayer.

Despite the difficult days here in Israel, we share Shiri's words in presenting this art piece as “a gift of hope and comfort to all who love Israel 💙.”

We invite you to click below and order your Shavuot Gift Box today for $200 USD - shipping to the US included! - you can share with your friends and family at your own table or ship as gifts to loved ones.

https://viasabra.com/shavuot-gift-box/

13/05/2024

At almost breakneck speed, we transition from heartache to joy and from grieving to celebrating as Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day of the Fallen, turns into Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, honoring 76 years to its statehood. We are acutely aware of how much strife we have overcome, how many have lost their lives, and how many continue to serve to protect us and grant us our independence.

It seems almost impossible every year, but this year more than ever, our celebrations are toned down and turned inwards.

And between sadness and pride, we sing Hatikvah, Israel's anthem, called the Hope, and this year more than ever, we dig deep into hope. That all the hostages will be returned immediately and that this year will usher in peace.

Below, the Hebrew lyrics to Hatikvah, and a translation by Naphtali Herz Imber, a poet originally from Galicia, in 1886.

Kol od ba’le’vav p’nima,Nefesh yehudi ho’miyah.
U’lefa-atei mizrach kadimah,
Ayin le’Tziyyon tzofiyah.
Od lo avda tikva-teinu,
Ha’tikvah bat sh’not al-payim
Lih-yot am chofshi b’ar-tzeinu
Eretz Tziyyon v’Yerushalayim.

As long as within our hearts
The Jewish soul sings,
As long as forward to the East
To Zion, looks the eye –
Our hope is not yet lost,
It is two thousand years old,
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

12/05/2024

Yom HaZikaron, known in English as Israel’s Day of Remembrance, is officially titled Yom HaZikaron LeHalelei Ma’arkhot Yisrael ul’Nifge’ei Pe’ulot HaEivah which translates to ‘Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism. Initially dedicated to fallen soldiers, it has also shifted to remember civilian victims of terrorism.

This is one of the saddest and most solemn days in Israel. Tonight at 8pm a one-minute siren across the country calls everyone to stand silent and at attention just before ceremonies marking the memories of the fallen usher in the 24 hour somber period. Tomorrow families visit gravesites and attend memorial ceremonies and a two minute siren at 10am calls the country to a standstill again.

This year, Yom Hazikaron is particularly difficult to process. If every year we think of those who have fallen to protect and save our country over its 76 years of Statehood and those who were killed in terrorist attacks around the world, this year we add thousands of new names of soldiers, civilians, and innocent people of all ages who were killed, taken hostage, or injured on October 7th.

Our own hearts break with the weight of the horrors we have witnessed over the past seven months and we grieve deeply with the many, many families whose loved ones are no longer with us.

Today, we mourn as a country and a nation.

We remember and hope that never again is now.

11/05/2024

We're encouraging everyone around the world to stand up for love and peace, and vote for Eden Golan tonight as she takes the stage at Eurovision in Malmo, Sweden.

In the face of furious hatred and antisemitism, Eden has stood strong and proud for Israel and all Jews. We're in awe of her bravery and composure.

Listen to her song "Hurricane" below,

and let's all hope for this hurricane of hate and violence to end.

💙🇮🇱
https://youtu.be/xGvv0kIZgZI?si=TCcDaCbu94JYbgfZ

Subscribe and 🔔 to Eurovision 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/eurovision?sub_confirmation=1 ​Eden Golan from Israel performed ‘Hurricane’ in the Second Semi...

10/05/2024

We're excited to launch our Shavuot Gift Boxes with beautifully curated items that make Israel the centerpiece of your holiday. With home decor made on kibbutzim (from the Gaza Envelope), art from studios in the north, and food items that were handpicked, pressed, or produced from groves, fields, dairies, and orchards, our Gift Boxes aim to bring you the joyous tastes, symbols, recipes, and stories shared by our partner vendors.

Connect, support and bring Israel into your homes this holiday, click on the link below to purchase.

$200 USD includes shipping to the US.

https://viasabra.com/shavuot-gift-box/

09/05/2024

Planning a trip to Israel is latching onto hope.

Hope that there will be peace here one day, or maybe even in the near future. Hope that we can and will rebuild. Hope that we can be stronger and strengthen each other together.

Swipe through and find links in our bio for upcoming trips in June that are open to all and incorporate frameworks for learning, growth, connecting with the true diversity of our beautiful country and people. Grab onto hope and reach out to us to plan your trip to Israel.

Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning

05/05/2024

We weren’t there and we didn't experience it then. But this year, we have come face to face with evil yet again. In Israel and around the world, Jews are witnessing the same evil and baseless hatred that destroyed millions then and continues its ruinous path today.
Our role tonight, on the eve of Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, is to tell the stories and share the lessons so that takes shape in actions and words.

These ten days in Israel following Passover and through Yom Haatzmaut are national days of reflection, remembrance and rebuilding. From the lows of the Holocaust to the highs of Israel's independence, we sing our anthem of Hatikvah to call out our hopeand our pride in our resilience.

This year, at ceremonies across Israel, our poems and stories from the Holocaust we told alongside stories from October 7th - of the injured, evacuated, killed, and taken hostage; serving on the frontlines and living on our borders north and south. As we closed the evenings singing Hatikva together, we dug deep into our collective history to latch on to that same enduring hope for healing, peace, and freedom.

03/05/2024

Yehudai Amichai is recognized as one of Israel's finest poets and authors - and the first to write in modern Hebrew. He was awarded the Israel Prize in 1982 for his poems, and won other international awards for his writings in Hebrew which have been translated into 40 languages and featured worldwide.

Today, on the 100th anniversary of his birth, we want to share this blog post from our Lead Storyteller, Ros Roucher, reflecting on how one of Amichai's poems relates to tourism in Israel and calls us to connect deeper in solidarity.

https://viasabra.com/blog/a-paradigm-change-on-solidarity-trips-to-israel-and-yehuda-amichai/

How have solidarity trips to Israel changed the paradigm of tourist experiences and connections with real Israelis?

22/04/2024

One of our favorite items from our Passover Gift Boxes was this handmade, beeswax candle, engraved with the word חרות, cheirut, or redemption from the amazing Elitzur at Craft's Origin מקור המלאכה

For us, this combination of lighting a small flame in the spirit of spreading hope for freedom was deeply symbolic, and many of us will be lighting it tonight on our Seder tables along with our holiday candles.

We invite you too to signify the plight of the hostages at your Seder table tonight whether with an empty setting, chair, half filled cup of Eliyahu, printed hostage sign, or special prayer or reading.

As we light our candles tonight, we hope these beacons of light will guide the hostages home; will pierce through the darkness of war with our prayers and calls for unity and peace; and will let us see the true redemption and safety of all peoples as quickly as possible.

We head into the holiday with heavy hearts and yet, we will sing our stories with deeper fervor for redemption and peace. Ultimately, as we sing of next year in Jerusalem, we can hope for a wholeness and a rebuilding as a people and as a land.

לשנה הבאה בירושלים הבנויה L'shana Haba'ah B'yerushalayim

May we be able to welcome you to a peaceful and rebuilt Israel in the coming days and continue to connect you to Israel in many ways,

your Via Sabra family

(We designed a placecard to set at the seder table marking the absence of the hostage and included a yellow pin from the Hostages Forum. We invite you to remember and advocate for them in your Seders tonight and join us in praying for this to be their last night in captivity.)

17/04/2024

For everyone wondering what a solidarity mission feels like and looks like, we're got answers and more. It's meaningful, powerful, and brings you right into the heart and soul of Israel today.

Whether you're a small or large group, with a Federation or synagogue, from a special interest community or bringing family, we're leading several interesting Solidarity Missions to Israel in May and June and we're always open to customizing the right trip for you.

So reach out to us, click through our links, and let us know how we can connect you to the incredible Israel that inspires and supports us every day.

17/04/2024

Our partners are opening this trip to Via Sabra clients who are interested in framing their solidarity experience in Israel with engaging dialogue and learning.

Click through for details and sign up to join us today!

We are so proud to announce our second solidarity trip to Israel, June 18-23. Here are the spoken 3-goals, the others simply cannot be put into words: 1) VOLUNTEERING: Support IDF and various other communities in Israel impacted by war. 2) CULTURAL EXCHANGE: Engage with soldiers, Youth, Bedouin, and other communities, kibbutzim, relocated evacuees, correspondents, educators, journalists, field experts, and more. 3) LOCAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT: Boost local businesses through active endorsement and patronage. PLEASE JOIN US AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: For more details VISIT: https://meltonschool.org/travel-seminars/swords-of-iron-israel-solidarity-trip for more details.

14/04/2024

Following a night of unprecedented attacks directly on Israel by Iran, we are grateful to the IDF Air Force and our allies in protecting Israel from harm.

Today, a beautiful sunrise awakened us and served as a reminder to continue hoping for days of peace in the region. We checked in with our partners vendors, sites, and guides across Israel and thankfully everyone is ok. We share prayers for the safety of all, including those serving on the frontlines with members of our own staff who were called back, and for days of prosperity and unity ahead.

27/03/2024

We're planning a very special mission to Israel in May that enhances our meaningful solidarity and volunteer trips to Israel with time spent honoring Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day - at key memorial sites, in discussions with Israelis of all ages, and in ceremonies in towns and cities in Israel.

We invite you to join us and feel the strength in our unity.

Come to Israel this May to listen, learn, share, support, and be in Israel, side by side with Israelis, as we process this incredible moment in our nation's history.

For more information and how you can sign up to join, visit:
https://viasabra.com/trip/strength-in-unity-celebrating-israeli-independence-amidst-adversity-may-2024/

26/03/2024

We're back with another great Gift Box - this time with everything beautiful and Israeli that you need to support, stand with, and celebrate Israel at your Passover table!

Click for more info and to purchase yours today!
https://viasabra.com/passover-gift-box/

Note:
Shipping costs are included.
Shipping to the US only.
The gift box contains alcohol and nuts.
Items in the box that are Kosher for Passover are indicated.

22/03/2024

We're excited to launch our Passover Gift Boxes with beautiful items reflecting the small business efforts, cultural traditions, and lush Spring that inspire us here in Israel day in and out.

Don't miss your exclusive opportunity to share the stories of Israel with your celebrations this Passover.

https://viasabra.com/passover-gift-box/

11/03/2024

With the crescent moon rising over Israel tonight, we wish all our friends, partners, and clients who celebrate Ramadan, a month filled with joy, blessings, and peace.

29/02/2024

Join Rabbi David Gelfand and Via Sabra - Unfolding Israel on this special trip- it's never too late:

5:00PM Gather at the hotel to meet the group and your guide - Say Shehechiyanu to bless the beginning of your journey together in Israel and dedicate your intention to the trip.

26/02/2024

Via Sabra Gift Boxes are back and we hope you're as excited about it as we are!

**Announcing our Purim Mishloach Manot Gift Boxes!**

Curated with hand-made and hand-crafted items to help you to celebrate Purim with Israel and your communities in the true spirit of the holiday!

Limited Gift Boxes are available this time around so click below to order yours today!

https://viasabra.com/purim-mishloach-manot-gift-box/

* Please note:
The Gift Box contains alcohol;
Cost includes international shipping to the US and Canada;
Delivery may encounter unexpected delays.

22/02/2024

We are so honored to lead the Minneapolis Jewish Federation in their Tikvatenu solidarity mission to Israel. Read more about their first day in their post below.

For more on how you can arrange a federation, synagogue or special interest group trip to Israel, email us: [email protected] or join our upcoming March mission here:
https://viasabra.com/trip/via-sabra-volunteer-for-israel-solidarity-mission-march-2024/

in Israel