A group of local women showed their solidarity with Israel, as part of a four-day Major Gifts mission, organized by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.
During this troubled time and leading into March, Women’s History Month, Federation sent a clear message, “We Stand with Israel – Am Israel Chai!”
From February 26-29, the mission’s highlights include briefings by official and military personnel and professional experts, visits to essential locations and touring Israel post October 7th, showing solidarity with the IDF – T’zava Ha’am (the People’s Army), and meeting with soldiers and officers stationed on the borders and on the homefront, securing civilians.
The group had the opportunity to view “Art After Oct. 7th.” For the past three years, Batya Holin from Kfar Aza has been taking nature photographs from the Gaza envelope of the lives of the residents on both sides of the border fence in Gaza. Her artistic view changed dramatically following Hamas’ terrorist attacks.
On Day 2, the group visited the memorial and grave site in the Re’im forest, where the Nova Music Festival massacre took place. The group also visited Nir Oz to witness the horrors of October 7th and meet with members of the Kibbutz. They paid homage to those lost in Tkuma, where the remains of 1,200 burned vehicles still stand.
Emotional moments were experienced during lunch with IDF soldiers and at a volunteer-run healing center in Sitria, specifically for Nova Festival survivors and their families. Since November, more than 100 people have been meeting there three times a week.
For more information on global travel experiences with Federation, visit jewishboca.org/global-experiences