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Dear Touro Synagogue Family,
We continue to hold in our hearts the many captives who remain in Gaza, the families and friends who have lost loved ones, and that small but powerful, indefatigable spark of hope in a future radically transformed.
From February 18 to 23 — just around the corner — we invite you to join us on a Touro Synagogue Solidarity and Learning Mission to Israel. This will be a trip unlike any other we may have experienced to this holy land, and I pray, unlike any yet to come. This is a visit to say to our Israeli family “Hineini — Here I am. I’m here for you. I’m ready to help.” We will share our hands and hearts in this unique time of need, and return with an important first-hand perspective in this critical moment.
Our time in Israel will be spent in the following types ways:
- Meeting with Jewish Israeli and Arab Israeli community leaders to learn about their efforts toward coexistence during this moment and beyond;
- Visiting a medical facility where lifesaving work is being done to support the survivors of October 7th and to help them cope with their trauma;
- Volunteering to support some of the over 100,000 displaced families from the North and South and working in the agricultural fields on a kibbutz;
- Connecting with leaders of the Israeli Reform Movement to understand how their congregations are experiencing this time;
- Learning from political and military experts about the current situation and what the future might look like for Israel and Gaza.
We know you may have many questions before you’re ready to register for a trip to Israel, especially leaving so soon and in uncertain times. If you are considering participating in this mission to Israel, please fill out this interest form. Cantor Margolius will be in touch with you soon. This is the best way to:
- Answer any questions you might have
- Register and make travel arrangements before quick deadlines
- Help decide if this is the right trip for you
If you are ready to say “Hineini — Here I am” and register for this trip, click here for the trip website, followed by the red “registration open” button in the lower-right corner. Once we meet the 15-participant minimum to ensure the trip can go, we will share information about purchasing plane tickets.
Brief Overview
(more details can be found on the trip website)
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Registration Deadline: Wednesday, January 31
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Accommodations: We will lodge at a hotel in Jerusalem during our stay and travel from there to the various sites and meetings.
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Dates: Sunday, February 18–Friday, February 23 (with Sunday and Friday being travel days, Monday afternoon–Thursday night are on the ground in Israel)
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Estimated Land Cost*: $2600 for double occupancy / $3,000 for single occupancy. *This does not include airfare. Flights likely must be booked on El Al.
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Participation: Adults only. The trip is priced for 15 participants. If we have a larger group, cost per person will decrease. If we do not have this amount of participation, the trip will not go at this time. (Deposits will be returned in this situation.)
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Financial Aid: Our financial aid application deadline has passed.
For those who are able, there is nothing more empowering than meeting a crisis with the sentiment found throughout our Torah: Hineini - Here I am. I look forward to showing up and declaring “Hineini” with you.
Cantor Margolius
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