Aug 6, 2019

South Dade Moms Return From a Momentous Trip

A group of South Dade women recently returned from their memorable Federation-sponsored Momentum Trip to Israel, a journey specifically geared toward Jewish mothers with children under the age of 18 living in South Dade. The group, part of Federation Women’s Philanthropy, had the opportunity to meet and bond with moms from other cities, engage with Israeli women and strengthen their relationship to the Jewish community and spiritual homeland. With an eye toward building camaraderie and connection, three moms from Federation’s partner city Yerucham joined the trip, which included hiking Masada, celebrating Shabbat in Jerusalem, enjoying the sights and sounds of Tel Aviv, visiting Yerucham and practicing yoga in the desert. The women even stayed in the first hotel in Yerucham, made possible with Federation support.

The journey was part relationship building, part self-reflection and part education. The Miami moms participated in unique programs and heard from inspirational speakers who helped explore Jewish values and teachings in an accessible, personal and female-focused way. The time in Yerucham also offered a meaningful opportunity to see Federation dollars at work. “I really saw how much the community has developed,” participant Melissa Buckner, who visited Yerucham seven years ago on another Federation Mission. “I didn’t just hear about the changes and progress but was on the ground witnessing it with my own eyes.” With Federation’s help, the community has strengthened its infrastructure and brought economic opportunity to its citizens. From sharing meals with Israeli families to meeting businesswomen involved in Israel’s tech sector, the week-long trip gave the moms a unique Israeli adventure. “As the Momentum tagline said, this wasn’t simply a tour of Israel,” Buckner said. “It was a journey of discovery.”