Earlier this month, Federation’s Israeli Division hosted the fourth annual Israel Mini Mission, crisscrossing the country to bear witness to the horrific atrocities of October 7 and see firsthand how Federation donations are helping rebuild Israeli lives and communities. Throughout a busy, and often overwhelming day, participants spoke to survivors of the massacre and volunteers who were among the first responders to arrive on the scene. In Sderot, the group saw what little remains of the demolished police station, one of the first and fiercest attacks by Hamas on October 7.

Last month, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Broward County, and Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County participated in the first-ever South Florida Legislators Mission to Israel. The journey brought 10 state senators and representatives from Florida to the Jewish State to learn about its religious and cultural diversity, witness first-hand the security threats the country faces, experience the strength and vibrancy of Israeli democracy and explore opportunities for collaboration between their home communities and Israel. The 10 participants, most of whom visited Israel for the first time, represent districts throughout Florida.

Pain. Fortitude. Resilience. Participants in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s eighth and most recent Solidarity Mission to Israel returned time and again to these themes as they visited with Israelis during the week of Yom Ha’Zikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day). As the group of 12 crisscrossed the country, volunteering at farms and army bases and meeting with soldiers injured in Gaza, it immediately became clear that, “Everyone is hurting in one way or another, yet their resolve to move forward is palpable,” said Sidney Pertnoy, Mission Co-Chair and Chair of The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

“Even though we have kept in close contact with our recipient organizations since October 7, nothing is as healing as an in-person hug,” said Greater Miami Jewish Federation Women’s Amutot Initiative Committee Chair Ilene Kossman, who participated in the Women’s Amutot Initiative Study Trip and Solidarity Mission to Israel, March 17-21. The group spent five days meeting with Israelis and hearing their stories in the aftermath of October 7 and visiting many Federation-funded nonprofits to see the impact of our community’s generosity.

Thursday, March 7 marked five months since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks and Federation has already led six Israel solidarity missions. The most recent one took place February 26-28 with a delegation of 19 and was co-chaired by Joe Ackerman and Amanda Adler.

Twenty-one Miamians joined the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s fifth Solidary Mission to Israel and found the previously polarized nation now passionately united in two common goals: to win the ongoing war with Hamas and bring the hostages home. “[The Israelis] are unyielding in their desire for a clear and decisive victory,” said Jordy Levy, one of three Mission Co-Chairs.

During a demanding three-day mission, the 23 participants met numerous survivors — of the Tribe of Nova music festival, the barbaric attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers wounded in battle — to hear firsthand accounts of the tragedy, the trauma and thankfully, Federation’s thorough response.

“If we learned anything from our few days in Israel, it is that the Israelis will prevail. They have the heart, the spirit, the resilience and the capability,” said Federation's Women’s Philanthropy Chair Elise Udelson, who led the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Solidarity Mission to Israel earlier this month. It was the second such mission to Israel by Federation leadership in the span of a few weeks.

“We are mourning,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog. “My nation is in deep agony; the people of Israel are in deep, unprecedented agony.” During last week’s Solidarity Mission to Israel, 18 community leaders from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation witnessed firsthand the national trauma and pain that our Israeli brothers and sisters are facing since Hamas’ barbaric terrorist attack.

What do you say to the father grieving his two sons who died fighting Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attack? Sixteen rabbis from Miami-Dade and Broward counties and other communities grappled with this question — and more — as they visited Israel to hear firsthand from some of those affected by the war, strived to bring solace to victims and their families and let them know they are not alone in their sorrow. Over four emotional days, the rabbis met with hospitalized patients, brought comfort to parents of the fallen, visited graves and memorial sites, shared uplifting meals with soldiers and learned about Israel’s spiritual care for those fighting the war against Hamas.