3 Sivan 5785

Dear Friend,

It was such a pleasure to come to the Federation Offices this week as three of our staff members, and two community members, had just returned from the Momentum Journey to Israel. With two of our staff members having never been to Israel and the third, who had not been there in 20 years, I knew that they’d have abundant stories.

To say they had a good time would be an understatement;

To say they saw all of the sites doesn’t do it justice;

To say that they met other  wonderful women in similar stages of life doesn’t share the feelings;

To say they were still showing the effects of the journey…well, you know how it is shifting time zones;

They each regaled us with visits to historical sites, gushed about the incredible meals (especially, the breakfasts), spoke about how well organized the trip was, and how much the learned, but what was most consistent was their experience with the people….Israelis who are a tapestry of colors and backgrounds, moms from other countries (they didn’t know where Montenegro was, no less that there was a Jewish community), young active-duty soldiers who joined them during the trip, the people who hosted them in a variety of locations, and the folks they met in shops and on the streets.

They came back the same (well, tired) and totally different. They got to see the miracle of Israel with their own eyes. They will never be the same.

These type of trips are made possible thanks to partnership…In this case, support from the Federation Jewish Endowment Fund, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and Momentum. There will be an Educators Trip to Israel next month with eight local teachers being led by Rabbi Wallk that was also made possible with significant support from the Jewish Endowment Fund; investing in our area educators who will learn about the multicultural beauty of Israel.

It speaks to how important it is that we all work together because when we do, there is nothing we can’t accomplish!

Shabbat Shalom v Chag Sameach,

Adam Solender