about jcf > groups > women's alliance > 2007 mission to israel

ABOUT JCF

WAYS TO GIVE

HOW WE HELP

CALENDAR

RESOURCES

ISRAEL &
THE WORLD
Women's Alliance 2007 Mission to Israel

What does one experience on the spiritual journey of a lifetime?

It's been said that the world was created in six days and together, in six days, we will experience an
historic journey to our homeland. Take the adventure with us. Check out our site for daily updates and
photos. This transformative journey will touch the hearts, minds and souls of each and every one of us.
Hear impressions from pilgrimage participants and see first-hand how your gift supports the most
vulnerable members of our extended community and helps them rebuild and revitalize their homes and
economy in the North. Celebrate Shabbat at the Western Wall and experience Tel Aviv’s night life with the
women of the Federation.

Meet the 25 women on the journey

See more photos

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