|
Dear Friends,
Ayin leZion tzofiah. The words of Hatikva, Israel’s national anthem, ring out strongly during this crisis: “Our eyes look East, toward Zion.” Our community members watch anxiously, praying for the safety of personal family and friends, and for all Israelis, now under fire and in shelters.
We watch anxiously, yes, but also expectantly, looking forward to a better, safer future, of rebuilding what has been destroyed.
Today we want to launch our registration page for Ruach Nedivah, “the Volunteering Spirit,” our upcoming December 7-14, 2025 service learning trip. As you know, we have been developing this “voluntour” for months, unrelated to the current fighting. But today’s crisis also feels like an excellent moment for our community to reaffirm our commitment to rebuilding the Israel we love.
Even before the fighting with Iran, our specific itinerary was still developing. With rebuilding efforts in the North and Gaza Envelope proceeding, it would be impossible to say in June where we would be most helpful in December. That uncertainty has only grown, obviously, but when we visit in six months, our hands and hearts will be more needed than ever.
We still plan to:
- Put our hands to work in Northern communities, rebuilding after long periods of bombing and evacuation.
- Support Arab and Druze Israeli citizens, whose membership in a diverse society is one of Israel’s most pressing needs.
- Work at Kfar Azza, one of the Southern kibbutzim devastated on October 7, which AC has been a partner in rebuilding.
- Celebrate Shabbat in Jerusalem.
- Learn from journalists, activists, and scholars about Israel’s social, political, and strategic challenges and possibilities in these difficult times.
- Experience Israel along with Rabbis Yael Hammerman and Jeremy Kalmanofsky.
| 
