Why Israel and why now? During Operation Pillar of Defense and now during the cease fire, I have wanted to do something, to be in Israel, and this opportunity arose. With the blessing and help of our St. Louis Jewish Federation, I am honored to be representing myself, my congregation, and the St. Louis Jewish community as I go on this mission with JFNA (Jewish Federations of North America) to let our brothers and sisters in Israel know that the St. Louis Jewish community stands with them and with all of Israel.
During this very brief time in Israel, it is my understanding that we will be meeting with the leadership and residents of the most affected areas, hearing from senior military and political figures, seeing the response of JFNA partners on the ground, and most importantly we will likely be participating in a hands-on project.
It is funny that as I have let people know that I am going to Israel there have been two different reactions. The first is a look of surprise that I am going so quickly and for such a short time and the second is the question of whether or not I am scared to go. I am not scared to go. Would I feel differently if we weren't in the midst of a cease fire? I don't know. But I do know that when the rockets were airborne I still felt the pull to Israel and the desire to be there. Having lived in Israel and having visited just two years ago with my family, I have always felt safe when I am there, no matter what has been going. Is it crazy that I am going for such a short amount of time and only decided days ago to go on this mission? Perhaps, but I am looking forward to the trip and looking forward to coming back and sharing with everyone who will listen how things truly are, because sadly most of our news media doesn't seem to report the full story.
So, over the course of the next week I will be blogging about my trip, and my hope is that beyond the trip I will continue blogging and sharing my thoughts on whatever comes to mind (yes, this could be dangerous!).
Last night, my oldest daughter asked, "Mom, will rockets be falling where you are going in Israel." My answer, "I hope not; there is a cease fire, so they shouldn't be." Then she said, "I hope the cease fire lasts 200 years," and I replied, "So do I. From your mouth to G-d's ears, we all hope it lasts."
