By: Nina Kaufman, Charleston, SC
My Hebrew teacher stoked the flame I had to visit Israel after October 7th.
During our weekly Zoom lessons, Maya (who lives outside Tel Aviv) would share brief stories of the challenges Israel was facing. Airlines refusing to fly to Ben Gurion, which decimated tourist traffic. Other countries choosing to boycott Israel, curtailing economic opportunities. Israelis not feeling safe going to the movies, concerts, theater – which shut down the arts … and a sense of normalcy. My heart is breaking for the hostages. And always, a hypervigilance that was ratcheted to a new level. I was determined; I have to go see my friend. To let her know she’s not alone.
The Partnership’s Dig Deep delegation provided that perfect opportunity. It was my first trip to Israel in over 20 years. My husband Joe (who is not Jewish) had never been. With the Partnership, we knew we could travel safely. Our Dig Deep delegation introduced us to other Jews from the Southeast United States, which gave us a rich texture of viewpoints, backgrounds, and perspectives on both Israel and Jewish life in the United States. We had a robust itinerary, with a lot of time together as a group. On the bus, walking through different sites, standing shoulder-to-shoulder as we mourned the horrific massacre of so many at the Nova festival, saying Shehecheyanu at the Kotel when we first arrived in Jerusalem. All were opportunities for conversation, for moments of sharing.
Although I had been following the news closely, actually speaking to Israelis gave me more insights into what they’ve had to endure. Profound darkness … with numerous points of light. I learned so much about the ongoing human cost of October 7th. Talking to wives and mothers of reservists who were part of the Haogen organization in Hadera- How do you put food on the table when your partner has been deployed for over 240 of the last 480 days? And whose jobs may be in jeopardy. How do you create stability for your children when you’ve been an evacuee in a hotel room for the past 9 months? Who cares for the caregivers? I saw many ways that P2G programs provide part of that solution.
Wives of reservists who were part of the Haogen organization in Hadera.
Another experience I will never forget: visiting Kibbutz Nir Oz and hearing the eye-witness account of lifelong kibbutz resident, Nir Metzger. The moments in the early morning when he realized this is not a “normal” attack. The different waves of terrorists – and Palestinian civilians - who infiltrated the kibbutz. His heroic efforts to keep his family safe in their safe room. The murder. The abductions. The looting. We stood amid burned and scarred homes, melted plastic lawn chairs, broken children’s toys. His own father was taken hostage and executed in captivity.
And yet … like the biblical Habakkuk (3:17-19), out of the devastation, Nir told us of his vision for the kibbutz – which others share. Not to abandon Nir Oz, or merely repair the damage. Nir talks to us about REBUILDING the kibbutz. Not just restoring what once was, but making it better, different, and bigger. His vision for the future is a beacon of hope. As he speaks, tucked in the corner is a small piano. One of our Partnership guides, Ravid Fleischer, is a musician. So she sits down to play. And fills the dining hall with the tones of Hatikvah … and our group chimes in to sing.
Another experience: visiting the Knesset on the very day there was a heated debate about setting up a commission of inquiry to look into October 7th. While we couldn’t hear the debate itself, our group could tell something significant was going on. We heard shouting from the Visitors’ gallery (families of those killed/taken hostage). We scurried to find out the live stream link to the Knesset debate floor. We heard the wails of incredulity, anger, and mourning when the measure wasn’t passed. For me, it was a special experience of being present while history was unfolding – not just learning about it after the fact.
What also struck Joe, a former sports coach, was the hope. He was so inspired by the resilience and enthusiasm of the young people he met. The teens participating in the Be’tzavta Jewish identity workshops engaged in the discussion and were to their fellow student leaders. The 15-year-old daughter of our Shabbat dinner hosts, who actively participated in our conversation (and, as Joe remarked – never once looked at her cellphone during dinner!). Soldiers at the Golani Brigade Training Base reminded us, We are not the smallest nation; we are the biggest family.
It's that sense of family that I wasn’t expecting but got from the P2G trip. Before the trip, Israelis were people who lived ‘over there’ … and I feel some connection to them because of the Jewish State. Now, I see the people of Israel as my extended family. When they hurt, I hurt. When they celebrate, I celebrate.
A special treat: our Shabbat dinner hosts shared their delicious Israeli salad recipe with me. Whenever I make it, I feel that taste and connection to Israel and it brings back fond memories.
Future commitment: I’m looking for opportunities to return to Israel … and soon. Not waiting another 20 years.
Comentarios