November 16, 2008 / 18 Chesvan 5769

Nothing can substitute for an in depth visit in raising our awareness. This was underscored by a recent visit of a large New Jersey solidarity mission to Sderot and Gaza perimeter communities. Participating in the delegation were the directors of the Federations from Cumberland, New Jersey, Delaware, Central New Jersey and Northern New Jersey. Tehila Nahlon and Ofer Lichtig, federation representatives in Israel, escorted the delegation.

Beginning with a lookout point with a view of the Gaza Strip and the Israeli perimeter communities, Ofer Baram, the Jewish Agency’s Southern Region Community Relations Director, briefed the delegation on the current situation including the recent attacks.
 
From there, the delegation traveled to the trauma center where Monica Zelinger, a representative of the Israel Region, and Ohad Drori, a social worker for the S.O.S. Emergency Foundation discussed the importance of Jewish Agency activity in the region, the Terror Victims Fund, and the SOS Fund.

At  a local police station they viewed the Kassam missiles on display taken from some of the thousands which have fallen the area in the recent past. The group received an explanation about the Kassam rockets and other missiles that are being fired from the Gaza strip into Sderot and Gaza perimeter communities. They also heard what it's like for those who have lived under fire for over seven years.

"Life, as hard as it can be, needs culture to thrive" explained Avi Suleimani, the community center director,  to the delegation.  He spoke about Jewish Agency assistance in fund raising for the center’s construction and for the additional second floor and of course on the Jewish Agency's on-going programs for local children and youth.

The icing on the cake came at the last stop in the form of a lunch prepared by Zahava and Ilan Abouksis. Zahava and Ilan are the parents of Sa’el who serves as a young Jewish Agency emissary in New Jersey.  The parents wanted to thank the federation members who are taking care of and helping Sa’el. The hospitality was exquisite and the food was delicious as the guests savored the finest delicacies of Moroccan Jewish cuisine.

At the close of the visit the delegation continued on to Arad to visit their Partnership 2000 sister community.

To participate on a mission please contact your local federation or missions@jafi.org.