By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–Jewish Federation of San Diego recently returned from a life-changing community trip to Israel, taking 219 local Jewish community members and professionals on an experience that captured Israel’s vibrancy, successes, challenges, and complexities of the country and the people.
“Nearly 70 first-timers to Israel and nearly 70 Jewish communal professionals from all our major agencies formed ties to Israel and one another that will benefit our community for years,” says Heidi Gantwerk, President and CEO of Jewish Federation of San Diego. “Our trip was filled with so many emotions and poignant moments. We were especially fortunate to spend an entire day with the Sha’ar HaNegev community, celebrating 25 years of San Diego’s relationship with our partner region. We had moments of somber reflection at Yad Vashem (the World Holocaust Remembrance Center) and unbridled joy as we all danced together at Rosh HaNikra.”
Events throughout the trip included an opening ceremony overlooking the old city of Jerusalem; food tours in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; team building activities including challenges and games that required collaboration and cooperation; Shabbat services, meals, and Havdalah for all; and a meeting with Doron Almog, the head of the Jewish Agency for Israel and one of the most important voices in Israel today, where he shared his insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the country. The group also spent time in the North exploring geo-politics and security and visiting disadvantaged youth and new “olim,” immigrants from Ethiopia, Russia, and many other countries, as well as enjoying local cuisine and tasting wine and olive oil.
“One of Federation’s strategic priorities is to strengthen our local community’s connection to Israel on a people-to-people level. Amid all the learning experiences and touring we did, the personal connections we developed among each other and with Israelis will last a lifetime,” continued Gantwerk. “We return to San Diego more committed to our work than ever before.”
A trip highlight was Partnership Day with 7 buses visiting different kibbutzim on the border with Gaza in Sha’ar HaNegev, providing a unique glimpse into this aspect of traditional Israeli society. During Partnership Day, the group also celebrated the opening and dedication of a new sports and cultural center partially funded by the Federation and named for Michael Jeser, former Federation CEO, who tragically passed away in 2021. Partnership Day concluded with San Diegans and Sha’ar HaNegev residents marking the Jewish holiday of Lag B’omer together at a traditional bonfire celebration.
Rocket attacks throughout the area began just hours after the group departed Sha’ar HaNegev, again highlighting the realities of what families and communities face. More than 3000 residents, many of whom had hosted San Diegans for lunch just the day before, had to be evacuated to safety.
Following the CommUNITY Trip, 30 people continue on to the United Arab Emirates to explore first-hand the culture in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to meet with representatives of the brand new and growing Jewish community there, and to understand the impact of the Abraham accords.
“We are proud that through the impact of this trip, 19 households became major donors, 11 women became new lions of Judah, and 92 people became first-time donors to Federation,” concluded Gathwerk. “100 percent of the people on the trip made a commitment to supporting our work which they had the chance to experience first-hand, and for that, I could not be more grateful.”
