Jul 24, 2024

Bearing Witness: Israeli Division Mini Mission Demonstrates Federation’s Work

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. While the building no longer exists, the trauma from the day is palpable. The cohort also spent time at an animal-assisted therapy center nearby run by the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), supported regularly by Federation’s Annual Campaign and more recently the Israel Emergency Fund (IEF). The program specializes in treating children and young adults from the region facing trauma and PTSD. Prior to October 7, the ratio of physical to mental trauma was 1-to-3. Now, it is 1-to-27, highlighting the severity of the mental health crisis Israel is experiencing on a national level.

Later in the afternoon, the group traveled to Re'im, the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where 362 Israelis were viciously maimed, raped and murdered and many kidnapped to Gaza. They met with Eli Landau, a young volunteer with ZAKA, another Federation partner, who shared what he witnessed that day and the images forever seared in his mind.

At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, referred to many as a “killing field” for Hamas terrorists, the group spent time with Maorit, a former resident who recalled that 64 members of the kibbutz were murdered that day, including her ex-husband and brother-in-law. For Federation Board member and Immediate Past Chair of the Israeli Division Ofer Tamir, spending time in the Gaza Envelope reinforced his understanding of the need for much stronger support of Israel from the Diaspora. His wife Denise Tamir, also a Federation Board member and Campaign Chair of the Israeli Division, was struck by how much had changed since her prior visit in November. “At that point, the country was still in shock and it was so raw and painful,” she said. “But now, with the help of Federation, its partners and the IEF, I saw hope and the determination to rebuild. “

Even through the painful fog of devastated landscapes and traumatic memories, the importance of working together for the good of the Jewish world was crystal clear. “There are only 15 million Jews worldwide,” said participant Rotem Rodrig. “We do not have the privilege of working independently. We must come together to support one another.”

Louis Menaged, an American who attended the mission with his Israeli wife Anat, feels equally as strong, and added, “It is a partnership. We must be advocates and ambassadors for Israel to spread truth and to unite all of our nation’s people.” As the only Israeli cohort amongst 146 national Federations, the Israeli Division is poised to do exactly that.

More uplifting and optimistic moments surfaced as the day progressed. Over lunch with members of Kibbutz Or HaNer, the group heard about their experiences from October 7 and how many of them went to help other nearby communities. Kibbutz Or HaNer is the first kibbutz in the Gaza Envelope to return home as a whole community. Federation recently “adopted” Or HaNer as part of the Communties2Gether (C2G) program and will provide $750,000 from the IEF to help residents heal from the economic and physical losses and trauma of October 7.

Despite the inherent pain of bearing witness to the brutality of October 7, Dana Yemin Schrager, Immediate Past Chair of Federation's Israel Engagement Committee, was grateful for the opportunity to lend support to the residents in the south of Israel. “We must share their stories and help strengthen them and each other,” she said.

The group ended their day at Sheba Rehabilitation hospital, an IEF recipient that is home to thousands of recuperating IDF soldiers. Yossi, a 39-year-old IDF commander and father of five, recounted the many hours of bloody combat at Kibbutz Be’eri, where he was seriously injured. Even in the face of unimaginable trauma, Yossi optimistically spoke about the unbreakable bond of Israelis, collective responsibility and the significance of supportive visitors in his recovery process.

After spending the day visiting Federation partners, participant Anat Menaged had a new perspective on the depth and breadth of Federation's work. “It opened my eyes to the real impact we are able to make in Israel in so many areas, from supporting trauma centers in Sderot to the important work of ZAKA, funding of hospitals and many social service organizations.” Like Yossi, she remains hopeful, and now inspired, by the impact we can make when we come together.

To learn more about how Federation is helping Israel recover and rebuild in the wake of October 7, click here.