(Courtesy of Birthright Israel Excel) Birthright Israel Excel organized a very special, first-of-its-kind intergenerational mission to Israel, which took place in early February. This mission came about following the October 7 massacre and in response to a growing demand from parents of Birthright Excel participants to be more involved.

During the trip, the group visited the Sheba Medical Center, Kfar Aza and IDF bases and met with IDF officers. There were 16 Excel Fellows and seven parents on the mission. The mission was highly impactful, and the Excel Fellows/their parents can share their personal sentiment and reinforce the importance of coming to Israel, especially at this time. Birthright Excel Fellow Maya Simon and her mother, Karen Simon, from Norwood, New Jersey, were among the participants in the mission.

“While our goal as the Excel Fellowship is developing Jewish business leaders, connecting as a Jewish community with Israel is a cornerstone of the Excel experience. At this most difficult time for Israel, the instinct of the Excel community around the world is to stand by their Israeli peers, literally on the sacred ground in Israel,” said Idit Rubin, executive director, Birthright Israel Excel. “We conceived of this first-of-its-kind intergenerational mission to Israel to enable our Excel Fellows to bear witness to the tragedy arm-in-arm with their Israeli peers and take in the remarkable resilience of the Israeli people, with the hope that will carry the nation forward—until we dance again.”