Apr 8, 2011
Federation Launches Miami Mega Mission 2012
It has been a decade and a half since the Greater Miami Jewish Federation organized a Mega Mission to Israel, but ask any participant from one of those overseas journeys how he or she enjoyed it, and you will get a glowing smile and an answer brimming with enthusiasm.
“There really is nothing like a Mega Mission,” said Saby Behar, a Federation Past President and a participant in many missions – including one Mega Mission – hosted by Federation. “Being in Israel with hundreds of your friends and neighbors… traveling with people from your synagogue and local Jewish agencies… sharing the same experiences… and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the land of Israel and its people… There are many ways to see Israel and many missions are hosted by our Federation, but a Mega Mission packs so much in for so many people… it is simply amazing.”
Behar is now sharing his excitement about the possibilities of Mega Mission travels as he chairs the recently announced Miami Mega Mission Israel 2012.
Departing April 22, 2012 and returning May 1, 2012, the Miami Mega Mission is a nine-day trip that promises to be memorable, meaningful and magical for each of the 800 people expected to sign up. Synagogues and Jewish agencies across Miami are joining with Federation to encourage participation from their congregants and supporters. In the first two weeks of open registration, 265 people made deposits to hold their places.
Highlights of this extraordinary journey:
- Round-trip, non-stop, coach-class EL AL charter flight from Miami to Tel Aviv. (Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
- Luxury accommodations in Jerusalem
- Includes most meals
- Five spectacular Mega Events, including a festive evening gala in the Negev and an exclusive concert among ancient ruins with a renowned entertainer
- A moving ceremony to commemorate Israel’s fallen soldiers on Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day)
- A joyous celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) with members of the Israel Defense Forces
- A spiritual Shabbat in Jerusalem
- Individual bus tours and excursions
- Enlightening meetings with top leaders and experts
- Military base visit for an in-depth perspective on Israeli security
- The opportunity to experience Israel’s cultural diversity and rich cuisine
- The chance to spend time with Israelis to get an inside look at the exciting work being done every day by Federation’s overseas partners
For full details about Miami Mega Mission Israel 2012 – including pricing – click here. Learn more by watching this video and downloading this brochure.
To secure a place on the Mega Mission, please complete an application and submit a $500 per-person deposit. Those who register early have the opportunity to be part of the charter flight or take advantage of other special pricing.
Vice Chairs of the Miami Mega Mission are Ariel Bentata, Steven J. Brodie, Rebeca Delaster, Sidney M. Pertnoy, Steven Scheck and Ray Ellen Yarkin; and Norman Braman is Honorary Chair. The Miami Mega Mission Advisory Committee consists of George Feldenkreis, Donald E. Lefton, Aaron S. Podhurst, Kenneth J. Schwartz, Maxine E. Schwartz and Isaac Zelcer.
In addition, Federation is offering an optional pre-mission to Poland, which leaves Miami on April 17, 2012. Chaired by Sidney M. Pertnoy, this enlightening trip features visits to Holocaust sites, including the Jewish ghettos, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the only remaining synagogue in the Warsaw Jewish Quarter. Participants will join 8,000 others, including Holocaust survivors and teenagers from communities around the world, for the March of the Living on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), walking from Auschwitz to Birkenau in testimony of Am Yisrael Chai, the Jewish people live. To learn more about the pre-mission, click here.
“I’d like to see 1,000 of us visit Israel all together,” said Braman. “Young, old, everyone.”
For more information, call 786.866.8466 or email [email protected].
