SY. Travel Israel - Yaffa & Yael Friedman

19/07/2024

Israel Solidarity Mission Day 3:
Today was among the most meaningful days in my life as a tour guide! What an inspiring day!
We started our day very (very) early, driving from Jerusalem to the Gaza Envelope for volunteer work. We met Adir, a young inspiring man, a true Zionist, 3rd generation of proud Israeli farmers and a reservist soldier. Adir served 2 terms in Gaza and took part in the release of hostages. It was our honor to volunteer at his tomato greenhouse and show our appreciation for his service.
Next stop was mainly for me, as I got to meet my hero! Lieutenant Colonel Or Ben Yehuda, Commander of Caracal Battalion. I will need to dedicate a separate post for this brave leader, who stopped the terror attack at her area and saved many lives.
Or is a tough warrior, talented commander and a mother to 3 young kids and an entire battalion.
We will forever be grateful for her service.
Personally I’m happy to share my motherhood for my daughter with her, as our Michal serves at her battalion, under her command.
It was hard to leave Or and her wonderful staff but we made it to the Egyptian Border, where we met the fierce warriors of Caracal.
One specific solider, Michal, got a hug from her proud grandfather and mother.
Michal and her friends spoke about their missions and challenges.
We were all too excited to sleep on the way back to Jerusalem and had the energy for a quick visit to Machane Yehuda Market before our dinner at one of the Shuk restaurants.

18/07/2024

Solidarity Mission Day 2: Gaza Envelope
Volunteer work at Kibbut Kfar Aza followed by a tour of the Kibbutz and testimony of Yossi, a Kibbutz member, a real Mensch and an Oct. 7 survival. Thank you Yossi for your important works and doing.
We continued to an army base (no photos allowed) for lunch and briefing, we learned about the reserve forces and the brigade missions and challenges.
From there to a lookout over Gaza to hear the story of the battle of Nachal Oz. We drove to the Nova Music Festival memorial site at Re’im Forest. A human mind can’t capture the horror and a human heart can’t contain the grief.
We followed the route of the people from the festival as they were trying to save themselves from the terrorists, to one of the ‘Death Shelters’ where we said Kadish in their memory.
We experienced so much and returned to Jerusalem with a mission to bear witness.

17/07/2024

Solidarity Mission Day 1:
From the airport to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv for a visit and conversation with Miri from Kinbutz Nachal Oz about life after October 7.
A very special visit to Belev Echad, soldiers rehabilitation center.
Dinner at Machane Yehuda Market and overnight at the King David Hotel for a well needed rest.

11/06/2024

Call for details, before or after Shavuot.

31/05/2024

Yasmin and Issa Barhum from Ein Rafa, Issa Jaber, previous mayor of Abu Gosh and Brother Oliver at Abu Gosh monastery all opend their homes and hearts and allowed me to get to know them better.
Looking forward to share the beauty of the people of this land on your next trip to Israel.

16/04/2024

Day 7 of Congregation Shaare Emeth Jewish Heritage Tour to Portugal

15/04/2024

Congregation Shaare Emeth Portugal Jewish Heritage Tour
Day 5 and 6

13/04/2024

Congregation Shaare Emeth Rabbi Jim Bennett
Portugal Jewish Heritage Tour Day 3
Tomar - Castelo De Vide - Belmonte

11/04/2024

Congregation Shaare Emeth Portugal Jewish Heritage Tour. Day 2: Charming Sintra, Roca Cape and Lisbon, ending the day with a wonderful Fado show

11/04/2024

Congregation Shaare Emeth Portugal Jewish Heritage Tour.
Day 1: Lisbon

01/03/2024

Temple B'nai Abraham Israel Solidarity Mission.
Day 4 started with cooking and packing food for soldiers. Later we toured the old city of Jerusalem including the Great Bridge at the Western Wall Tunnels.
RabbiDavid Z. Vaisberg led us in a special pray for the safety of Israel and the IDF. We reflect about our journey and shared our thoughts, before heading to our farewell dinner, at פיקולינו Piccolino, where we hosted some lovely inspiring lone-soldiers.
Saying goodby to the group wasn’t easy for me, but they have an important mission - to share what they saw and experienced in the last days in Israel with the world.

29/02/2024

Temple B'nai Abraham Israel Solidarity Mission.
Day 3 started early morning at Moshav Achituv with fun agricultural work.
We picked delicious cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. As we assist farmer Shahar we also ensured Israelis get the best fruits and vegetables.
After a good, well-deserved lunch we met with various evacuees from the northern part of the country, mainly from Kiryat Shmona, on the border with Lebanon. When we think about the situation it’s important to remember over 90,000 people living close to the northern border in an area that is threatened by Hezbollah terror organization. They left their homes 4 month ago and living in tiny hotel rooms and apartments. All they want is to return safely to their homes and live peacefully.

28/02/2024

Temple B'nai Abraham Israel Solidarity Mission day 2 was dedicated to the Gaza Envelope. We drove south to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, located 2km from Gaza Strip. We helped rehabilitate the Kibbutz orchard and had an inspiring conversation with Yossi, an incredible Kibbutz member.
We later met Koren who was willing to share his family survival story on October 7, while 500 terrorist raid the peaceful community.
It was heart breaking and the sights of the horror is seen clearly but it is also important that we bear witness. 64 men, women, children and babies were murdered in Kfar Azza, 18 kidnapped (3 still remain captive until today).
We ended our visit with a Kaddish for the victims of October 7, standing near a mobile shelter where some of the Nova music festival attendee were murdered brutally.
It was an emotional day but all the people we met made us feel stronger and hopeful.
I avoid posting the difficult sights.

27/02/2024

Temple B'nai Abraham Israel Solidarity Mission welcome to Israel.
Day one was dedicated to learning, meetings and volunteering.
We started the day at the Hostages Square following a meeting at Deloitte.
Around noon we met Dani Miran, father of Omri that was taken captive on October 7 by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Nir Oz. it was a powerful and inspiring conversation - Bring Them Home Now!
We volunteered with לקט ישראל Leket Israel before heading to Jerusalem.

01/10/2023

07/07/2023

Alan and Becky’s last touring day was an emotional and meaningful one:
Alan started the morning giving a lecture to cardiologists at the Hadassah Hospital and we had the opportunity to tour the synagogue and see the Chagall Windows.
The highlight of the day was a very special visit to United Hatzalah of Israel - fully volunteer Emergency Medical Service organization.
Prof. Braverman saved the life of many people, one of them, Ron Rubin, gave back by choosing to save many more lives in Israel. Ron donated an Ambucycles, emergency response motorcycle, in honor of Prof. Braverman.
From United Hatzalah, we continued to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum where we toured the historical museum and some monuments.
To end this meaningful day, we drove to Machane Yehuda Jerusalem market and had lots of fun as we ate our way through the market.

05/07/2023

Welcome to Israel Alan and Becky!
Day 1: Jaffa-Tel Aviv
Day 2: Masada and Dead Sea
Day 3: Old City of Jerusalem
Day 4: Special day - Deserve a post on it’s own….. to be continued.

29/06/2023

Masada and Dead Sea day 🐦‍⬛