Two Nashville area rabbis are spearheading a community-wide mission trip to Israel slated for November 12 to 18. The vision for the trip originated with Rabbi’s Mark Schiftan and Saul Strosberg, both of whom participated in last winter’s mission. “The idea is it will be roughly a year after and it is volunteering, it is seeing some of the sites of October 7th, and then giving people time in Jerusalem too to be in the holy city,” says Schiftan.
Schiftan says most of the local congregations will be sending clergy and the goal is to also have a minimum of 20 participants from across the community. The emphasis on volunteering is one he believes will appeal to a broad number of people. “This is not a ‘shalom Israel,’ type of trip. I think the people who are going to go are the people who really do want to volunteer and witness and stand in solidarity with some of what these Israelis are still feeling,” he says.
The jam-packed itinerary also includes a talk by one of Israel’s top journalists, a visit to a cemetery to honor those killed in the current war, and filling Shabbat gift baskets for bereaved families. Strosberg says this trip is unique. “Our community has shown how much they care about Israel. Through all the financial support, the gatherings, the advocacy. And I think that setting foot in Israel and seeing all the places affected by October 7th takes it to the next level.”
Both Schiftan and Strosberg say the goal is for the trip to be affordable and accessible for those who can participate. “There has been no more important time in our history to show Israelis we care. We want people to feel what the Israelis are feeling firsthand and to bear witness,” says Strosberg.
The trip will include spending Shabbat in Jerusalem and will conclude once again with a volunteer experience and a visit to Hostage Square before returning to Nashville. Strosberg says the hope is that participants will not only gain an important perspective about the aftermath of October 7th, but that it will provide a bonding experience for the community. “I think our community has one heart towards Israel. It doesn’t mean everyone has the same politics, but there’s one heart. We’re a small community; we have to stick together.”
There will be an informational meeting about the trip on Aug. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Gordon JCC. For more, visit https://makorjourneys.com/journey/nashville-jewish-community-solidarity-mission/.
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