Shalom from Israel
by Rina Liebeskind
Rina Liebeskind is the Education Director at Kol Ami Synagogue, traveling to Israel for an Educators’ Mission sponsored by the iCenter, the Jewish Education Project, and Shorashim. The goal of the mission is to show support to Israel by meeting with educators, hostage family members, and officials. While there, Rina will have the opportunity to volunteer and also tour some of the displaced community sites. As a visiting educator, Rina will bear witness to the events of October 7th and its aftermath and share her first-hand experience with learners back at home.
For those who haven’t heard yet, I’m participating in an educator’s mission to show our support to Israel during this challenging time.
As you can imagine, I’m well-versed in traveling to Israel, but this time felt very different. From the noisy gathering of travelers (mostly Israelies) waiting at the gate, to the moment the plane took off, there was a different kind of atmosphere. It felt as if everyone is “in it together.”
Even when we landed, and the clapping began (something that is not unusual for those who may have traveled to Israel before), there was a sense of something unique and different. The clapping lasted for a good long moment, and a group of young kids began to sing out loud the song “Tel Aviv, Ya Habibi Tel Aviv”(Omer Adam’s famous song). soon, many joined the singing, and those who did not sing, clapped even harder!
As I hurried down the corridors of Ben Gurion Airport towards the exit, in the last stretch of the way to passport control, the sight of the faces of all the hostages came into view. With each step I took, another face looked back at me with the caption, “Bring Them Home Now”! I was filled with such sadness, and before I realized what was happening, the tears began to stream down my face. Looking around a bit embarrassed for crying in public I was surprised to see that I’m not the only one crying! This profound feeling of grief was shared by many of my fellow travelers.
As we enter Shabbat, I wish you Shabbat Shalom. May this Shabbat bring peace and calmness to all.