For the last 24 years I have had the great privilege, through the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), to bring groups of less affiliated, yet curious, young Jewish professionals to Israel. This year our trip was very different both in its purpose and urgency. Like other outreach groups, when MJE goes to Israel we usually go to take — not in a bad way, but to be inspired by Israel, the archeology and the spirituality, and to hear from the incredible educators and rabbis who live there. We definitely did some of that on this trip, but this time we also went to give. To give chizuk to our people who have been hit hard and who are bravely fighting back.
Our group of 35 participants, who partnered with Birthright Israel, arrived the day after the horrible murder of 12 Druze children playing soccer in the village of Majdal Shams. As Israeli leaders contemplated how they would respond, I told our group: “YOU are the response.” “We are here,” I said, “to show our love and support and to give whatever is needed.”
For the next week, we woke up most mornings at the crack of dawn so we could volunteer on the farms before it got too hot. One day we visited Kibbutz Netiv Lamed Hey (named for the 35 Jews killed from the Gush protecting Jerusalem in the War of Independence), and in a matter of hours, we planted over 2,000 olive trees! That experience, I must say, felt very satisfying. The next day, we pruned tomato vines and the next day grape vines. We visited a food distribution center and packed cooking ingredients for hundreds of families affected by the war. The love and gratitude our group received from the Jewish farmers and others organizing the volunteering was beyond explanation. One farmer, Reuven, boarded our bus after we finished working his field, to tell us this: “After October 7, my Thai workers went back to Thailand and my Israeli workers were all called up by the IDF to fight in Gaza. I had no one to prune and work my fields, and I thought I was going to lose them. But then you and so many other volunteers came to help. I still have my fields and orchards. Thank you and I love you.” As we sat there, hot and tired, we felt so appreciated.
We also heard from survivors and victims of the war, most notably Mazal Tazazo, a survivor from the Nova Music Festival. A second generation Ethiopian Jew, Mazal shared how she barely escaped the massacre on October 7. She is still in disbelief how so many young people in the West could be rallying on behalf of Hamas. We also heard from Rabbi Doron Perez, executive chairman of the World Mizrachi Movement, whose son, Daniel, was tragically killed fighting on October 7. Despite the immense pain each suffered, both shared stories of hope and inspiration. And despite the hatred of Israel’s enemies, we remain united against terror and dedicated to the Jewish values of life and spiritual growth.
Despite the difficulties of this war, we still explored the beauty and depth of Israel and its history. We visited Shiloh, where the Mishkan stood for 369 years. We went to the Gush to learn about the great heroism shown during the War of Independence, joined the Tunnel Tours in Jerusalem, and, of course, we spent time praying at the Kotel. We were treated to outstanding Torah talks by journalist and friend Sivan Rahav Meir and Rabbis David Aaron, Yitzchak Breitowitz, Joshua Weisberg and Moshe Rothchild.
Perhaps most impressive was the fact that no one from our group cut their trip short when hearing of Iran’s threat to attack Israel. I was duly impressed. Perhaps it was the resilience of the Israeli people rubbing off on us or maybe some good old Jewish guilt of bailing on our brothers and sisters when the going gets tough. Either way, it felt good being there and actually doing something to make a positive difference.
One other thing also felt great: On the Shabbat before our trip began, my wife Jill and I hosted a Shabbat dinner in Tel Aviv for 110 young professionals. MJE has partnered with Tribe Tel Aviv to bring the MJE spirit to Israel where we hope to spiritually reconnect the many Tel Aviv Anglos and sabras with Yiddishkeit. We wish much success to MJE educators Rabbi Kevin and Allison Wolf, who recently moved to Tel Aviv to work with Tribe on this critical endeavor. While our enemies continue to attack us, we continue to build Israel and the Jewish people. May we go from strength to strength!
Rabbi Mark Wildes is the founder ofManhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), a highly successful Jewish outreach program which engages 20’s/30’s in Jewish life and which has facilitated 383 marriages.
