Oct 21, 2024

One Year Later: Federation Group Visits Israel

Participants included Katy Williamson, Jeff Levin, Richard Yulman, Brian Bilzin, Ezra Katz, Miguel and Lezlie Poyastro, Michael Friedman and Jacob Solomon.

A group of nine leaders from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation recently traveled to Israel to be present for the one-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks. Led by Federation Past President Ezra Katz, with the support of Past Board Chair Brian Bilzin and Board Vice Chair Richard Yulman, the group spent time with Nova Festival survivors and released hostages, met with nearly a dozen top-level government, military and geopolitical leaders and visited important memorial sites. For the majority of participants, this was their first trip to Israel since October 7 and offered the opportunity to witness the real-time resilience of Israeli society and the true nature of the work that lies ahead. “We all wanted to be in Israel on October 7 this year,” said Katz. “It was essential for my own state of mind and my ability to assess where we have been and where we are now headed as a people. That was our group’s primary objective, and around that, to meet with a diverse group of Israeli society ranging from members of the IDF and politicians to government officials, leading economists and professors.”

The group attended the National Memorial Ceremony for Bereaved Families of October 7.

“I have been to Israel more than a dozen times on both celebratory and solidarity missions. This was the most impactful mission both for my admiration for the resiliency, commitment and strength of our Israeli brothers and sisters and for the heartbreak we suffer with them. The hostage catastrophe is overwhelming. I have no question Israel will be victorious and they will emerge stronger as will the Jewish world.”

-Brian Bilzin, Federation Past President

A newly opened IDF exhibition at a military base shows the massive amounts of ammunition, rockets and missiles Hamas terrorists deployed against Israelis on October 7. Motorcycles, trucks and bulldozers used to breach the border were also on display.

“We wanted a remembrance of that dreadful day, but we also wanted to meet with Israel’s innovative brain power — both intellectual and political. This was not an ordinary mission. It was geared toward Israel today and tomorrow. The entire trip was a highlight.”

-Richard Yulman, Federation Board Vice Chair

Spending the day in the Gaza Envelope, the group stopped at Reim, the location of the Tribe of Nova Music Festival.

“Everywhere we went, there was a consistent sense of unfathomable optimism and appreciation. The first thing out of everyone’s mouth was, ‘Thank you. Thank you for being here.’ The funds we raise and the money we send are critical, of course, but being there means everything to them.” 

-Ezra Katz, Federation Past President