Board Chair issues challenge: "Let them come to Haifa"

Men, women and teens from Haifa and Greater Boston share a celebration of the Boston-Haifa Connection at opening of the Haifa visit (photo by Larry Sandberg).

From sorrow to joy, from strangers to friends, 361 men, women and teens have returned from a week in Israel that profoundly affected each of them.

Combined Jewish Philanthropies' Solidarity Mission to Israel was the largest sent by any American city during the past three years. And, thanks to a range of special interest activities, and close people-to-people relationships, the group took on an intimacy that defied their number.

The two-days in Jerusalem kicked off Tuesday night at the Israel Museum where participants shared dinner and greetings from Prof. Itamar Rabinovitch, President of Tel Aviv University. In the morning, they heard from two members of Israel's Knesset, broke into groups for educational tours such as the Knesset or the Foreign Ministry, and then explored historical and archeological riches of Jerusalem's Old City.

Thursday's offerings featured a panel discussion on Israel and the media, including representatives of The Boston Globe, and Israeli newspapers. The group then broke up for tours of the Museum of the Diaspora, and the Yemin Orde Youth Aliyah Village. More than 120 participants also followed the learning track, which toured and studied with rabbis from Jerusalem and Boston.

"It was powerful to learn in these places where the Mishnah was written," says Renee Finn of Framingham. "There's an immense sense of continuity when you learn and walk this sacred ground."

The young people also enjoyed their own programs. "The YLD-ers (from CJP's Young Leadership Division) really did a double mission," Steven Barbell of Dedham said on the flight home. "We enjoyed all the solidarity programs but also did our own thing. CJP made sure we had an amazing time, which we managed to do by not sleeping much."

Teens and pre-teens from across Jewish Boston got the chance to bond with each other and with Haifa peers. "I asked my dad if I could come back again next year for a reunion," says Stephanie Solomont of Weston. "When they come to us or we go to them, we all make friends and get to see a different place and imagine what it would be like to live there."

"They have a different language but they're a lot like us," said Sharon's Jacob Kieval, a junior at Gann Academy, one of many Jewish schools represented.

But the heart of each mission is Haifa, Boston's Israeli sister city. This year, the exuberant reunion was tempered by a memorial service at Maxim's Restaurant, where 21 people were killed - and dozens more injured -- in last month's bombing.

At a memorial service at Maxim's Restaurant in Haifa, Rabbi Samuel Chiel shares his thoughts with the 370 members of CJP's Israel Solidarity Mission, as well as citizens of Haifa and family members of the 21 people killed in last month's deadly bombing (photo by Larry Sandberg).

As the sun set over the Mediterranean, nearly 500 people stood in silence as rabbis from Haifa and Boston offered prayers just feet from the gutted restaurant where workers were rebuilding.

"I believe that terrorists chose this city because Haifa has shown that Jews and Arabs can live together in peace and harmony," said Boston's Rabbi Samuel Chiel.

And Tony Matar, Maxim's Arab co-owner, pledged "not to let them destroy us and our relationship, but to become stronger."

The service underscored something for Terry Rosenberg of Wellesley, Co-chair of the Mission with Susan Calechman, Mark Goldweitz and Alan D. Solomont. When she saw a 12-year-old from Haifa crying, Rosenberg put her arms around her. "As we cried together, it wasn't just her sorrow but my own. In this week, we got to know the people from home and the Haifa people in an entirely new way. I don't think you can emerge from something like this the same."

In Haifa participants saw the work of many of the 100 vital partnership projects between the two cities. "Having a chance to witness the vital work of these human service and social justice projects, we could see clearly what a powerful impact we make there every day through the Boston-Haifa Connection," said Solomont, CJP Board Chair.

Haifa Municipality Dance Troup welcomes delegation

Nearly 1,000 of Haifa's men, women and teens turned out for the welcome celebration, featuring performances, introductions and dancing. Speakers included both Haifa's former mayor Amram Mitzna and its new one Yona Yahav, as well as Nurit Lev, the Connection's Haifa Chair, and Stuart Rossman, the Boston Chair. "When Boston comes to Haifa, we are embraced as friends," he said. "We understand that what we're building together is incredibly important. Working together, we're helping to create a Jewish future."

Friday morning's programming began with an emphasis on "Building a Better Community," introduced by Nancy Kaufman, Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council, which oversees the Connections' social justice programs. Also on hand was Jessie Rossman of Needham, who is spending the year in Haifa organizing volunteers. Also present were college students who tutor neighborhood immigrant children through the Open Apartments program and social workers who are helping those affected by the recent Maxim's bombing.

The group also heard from Harvey Lowell, Executive Director of Jewish Big Brother & Big Sister Association, one of the many CJP partner agencies conducting social service programs to aid immigrants, children and others.

Eskasta Ethiopian Dance Troup, Haifa University, welcomes delegation

That morning, interactive school visits brought home the power of education and partnership. And part of Friday afternoon's solidarity gathering included shopping, a chance to boost Haifa's economy.

CJP Board Chair Alan D. Solomont spoke at the gathering about the evolution of the Boston-Haifa Connection, growing from just sending money into a true partnership that links the communities through shared projects and people-to-people connections.

"For those in America who don't think this is the time to come to Israel - Sheyavoh l'Haifa - let them come to Haifa. For those who think the Israeli spirit is broken and it's depressing to be here - Sheyavoh l'Haifa - let them come to Haifa. For those who don't think a diverse community made up of Jews and Arabs can co-exist here - Sheyavoh l'Haifa - let them come to Haifa. And for those who think the Zionist dream of making Israel 'a light unto the nations' is no longer achievable - Sheyavoh l'Haifa - let them come to Haifa."

Friday night, after services at area synagogues, mission-goers shared a festive Shabbat dinner with Haifa friends and partners as well as young Bostonians spending the year studying in Israel.

Even with the wide variety of experiences, Saturday night's Home Hospitality was the mission's highlight for many. In homes across Haifa, host families shared dinner, conversation, and understanding with their Boston guests.

"When you meet Israelis in a large group, you don't get to make the connection," said Dave Srebnick of Acton. "But here, as we sat down with Israelis in their homes, the only agenda was friendship."

And Lexington's Esther Rosenman-Hochman said she was "struck with the ease of intimacy with our host family and their friends."

Sunday morning, the group set out on a morning of site visits to witness many of the successful programs created under the Boston-Haifa Connection umbrella. The tracks included Social Justice, Social Services, Economic Development, Ethiopian Jewry, Education and Arts and Science. Participants saw the powerful influence on immigrants, children, the elderly, and those struggling to build a better life and a more civil community.

As the solidarity mission drew to a close, small groups gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate a week of discovery and connection. "We're very lucky to be part of a community that believes it's important to make it possible for each person to be able to go to Israel," said Beth Moskowitz, Chair of CJP's Women's Division, at a caucus where participants shared peak experiences and offered both gratitude and financial support to CJP.

"If CJP is an umbrella and the programs it supports are the spokes, then thousands of people are sheltered underneath including children of immigrants, the elderly and Ethiopian-born Israelis," she added.

"I came because I knew I'd be rejuvenated on this mission," said Nancy Viner, recipient of one of this year's Young Leadership Awards. "It's an incredible opportunity to see what CJP's Boston-Haifa Connection is accomplishing."

"We'd been wanting to come, but couldn't have gotten here without CJP's subsidy," said Eileen Schongold of Sharon, who traveled with husband Steve and 14-year-old Alyse. "I want to say 'thank-you' to the donors who made this incredible experience possible."

"It took 3,000 years for me to come back home," said Jacob Gubbay of Winchester. Born in Baghdad, Gubbay escaped with his family to India, came to the US to study at MIT and is now planning to move to Israel. "This trip is the first step," he added.

"It's as if this week we're speaking with one voice even though we're very different people," said Dave Gale of Sharon, on the mission with two of his children. As unified as they were, however, for each mission-goer, there was a different - and highly personal - moment of discovery.

For Maimonides junior Joseph Gillers, it occurred at the South Wall of the Old City. "Seeing the pits in the stones where giant boulders once fell, I could picture exactly how it might have happened," he said. "I realized that, my ancestors were here and now I'm here too."

For Sandra Calmas of Newton, the moment came while touring an Israeli Navy ship. "I was impressed by how very young and very intelligent the people are who run these ships, and what a heavy responsibility they have to assume," she said.

"Most people on this mission were told they were crazy to come because of security," said her husband Will. "But we feel safer than in a high-rise or a highway in Massachusetts. Now we have to go back and help people understand that coming here is not only fun, it's one of the best ways to support the Jewish people."

And, though Dr. Bruce Kriegel, together with his Sharon family, admits to having had some reservations about coming to Israel, he returned with a different attitude. "We felt safe and secure the entire time and have had an amazing experience. Now, when I think of sending our son here in two years, I'm completely comfortable and happy to have him here."

Heshvan 5764 - November 2003