Apr 25, 2018

A Fitting Finale to Federation's Israel at 70 Miami Mission

Less than one week ago, 825 Miamians had a private audience with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, where he expressed his appreciation for our Jewish Community. It was a fitting finale to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Israel at 70 Miami Mission. The week-long journey in Israel, which honored the State's 70th birthday, was the largest Federation mission in history. From the beaches of Tel Aviv to the ancient stone walls surrounding the Old City of Jerusalem, 19 buses crisscrossed the country with many meaningful stops between.

The group joined thousands of others at the Masa Yom Ha’Zikaron Memorial Ceremony for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror. The next day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) festivities took over the country, and Mission participants followed suit. From a boardwalk beach barbecue in Netanya to a parade through the streets of Jerusalem, Miamians shared their love of Israel with the locals into the early morning hours.

As Federation Past President Donald Lefton said, "When you go to Israel, you get inside Israel, but when you go on a Federation mission, Israel gets inside you."