We had the honor of joining over 40 Jewish community professionals from across New York for five unforgettable days of learning, volunteering, and shared purpose. Our group included 11 Marks JCH staff members (many visiting Israel for the first time) who witnessed inspiring acts of resilience.
The mission began in Jerusalem, where we planted saplings in soil blackened by fire, a Jewish act of defiance against destruction. We walked the ancient paths of the City of David and stood at the Western Wall. In Binyamina, we met with local families impacted by war, creating small but meaningful gifts of greenery that symbolized healing in the aftermath of tragedy.
Perhaps most profoundly, we visited the Gaza Envelope, where the impact of October 7 came into heartbreaking focus. In Sderot and at the Nova Festival site, we bore witness. We met a hostage recently rescued after 129 days in captivity. We heard from a Marks JCH preschool alum and Nova survivor who returned to the site for the first time, accompanied by his Marks JCH family. We ended that day cooking for IDF soldiers, forging bonds of shared strength and service.
The trip will bring a renewed vigor and authenticity to our work at the J, whether through Israel-focused programs; weaving Israeli themes through camp, cultural arts, adult literacy, and other areas of our operations; or bringing the Israeli spirit of resilience and healing to our daily
interactions with clients. We also formed strong inter-agency bonds that will strengthen community partnerships across New York City. We return home deeply changed, carrying with us the mission to uplift our own community with renewed strength, pride, and purpose.