Several days ago I visited the Shuk to the Core event which took place at Yeshivat Frisch thanks to the hard work of Areyvut. Over the past while I have visited other such exhibits and twice coordinated vendor fairs in Montreal during the Intifada. I was excited to meet with several of the vendors whom I knew from the past and was happy that most were going back to their families the day after their Frisch stop. They were exhausted, lonely for their families and especially grateful to those who came out to support them. Several times in my discussions with them was the overwhelming feeling that those in chutz l’aretz were getting tired of such fairs. One woman shared with me that she thinks that the pizazz and concern since October 7 has waned. Obviously people are concerned and worried for those who are still being held hostage and their families, but it is almost as if they (us) can’t take it anymore. I hope that what she is saying is wrong but I do get just what she is intimating.
Let’s look at the number of people who are visiting Israel during the coming winter break and delve into how many are going who do not have children spending a year there learning in yeshivot or seminaries. It seems as if the kosher cruise industry is booming, kosher resorts are flourishing, both in the Bahamas and Mexico, and Florida air traffic is still heavy although it is also not as exciting as it used to be. The question is: Why are there not more people visiting our homeland? Yes, it is true that it is very difficult to get airline tickets to Israel, yet the same people who booked their cruises months ago would have been able to get air arrangements had they done it at that time.
From experience I can share what it means for the typical Israeli to see people walking the streets and visiting their restaurants. For those who have shared their security concerns about going to Israel now, I personally cannot think of a place where it is more safe. I myself, who used to love to go into Manhattan with my beloved Mordechai just to walk the streets and absorb the greatest city in the world, am now afraid to go there due to all of the muggings and crazy things that have been happening randomly to perfectly innocent people. I would not hesitate to go walking by myself in Yerushalaim and I feel the need to spend money in the stores there, and all over the country, because they so need it. I am not talking about spending major dollars. I am talking about walking into a store and letting people realize that you are there because you care. For those who feel that it is too difficult to visit the carnage that took place in Be’eri or Sderot or Nova—you do not have to visit those places. When I visited those sites I felt more determined than ever that I needed to retell the stories that I heard of so many heroes—and visiting the sites, where I also had no fear, was the right thing for me to do.
As I sat in my home several months ago, and car after car with blasting horns and music went down New Bridge Road I felt terror. Screaming to annihilate the Jews right here in Bergenfield was nothing at all like the feeling of pride that I felt everywhere that I went in Israel with no sense of fear. Most do not want to think about it but none of us know what the future holds for Jews in North America and not even in our once-safe Teaneck/Bergenfield communities.
As most know, last year The Link, at my initiative, took an inaugural mission to Israel. The only reason that this mission happened was because I personally felt the need to do something and that was the only way I felt I could do something. The trip was totally non profit with the idea that any money spent go directly to Israel. I covered all of my own expenses and my reward was seeing the wonderful group that travelled together to show support to our homeland. I am trying to once again gather a group together to repeat the amazing experience we had last year. I can assure everyone that you will return feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment upon your return.
The dates of our mission are March 2-9, to and from Newark Airport. Anyone can extend or change the dates of return but, as we all know, it is necessary to book our flights now. I know that the dates are available as I write this but how long that will remain the case, I have no idea. Please note our ad for the trip on page 141 with further details and do not hesitate to reach out to me, You will not regret it.
Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected].
