{"id":2016,"date":"2024-04-24T15:59:34","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T15:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/?p=2016"},"modified":"2024-04-24T16:06:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T16:06:40","slug":"short-summary-and-some-pictures-from-action-psjs-israel-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/2024\/04\/24\/short-summary-and-some-pictures-from-action-psjs-israel-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Short summary and some pictures from Action-PSJ’s Israel 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Shabbat Shalom,

I’ve returned home after a profoundly impactful week in Israel. There’s so much to share from this experience. Leading a delegation from Action for Post-Soviet Jewry (Action-PSJ), our mission was crystal clear: to stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Israel during this time of immense challenge and uncertainty. Though we’re a small group, our determination to bear witness and extend support to those grappling with the dual burdens of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the enduring war between Ukraine and Russia is resolute.

When we departed for Israel, there was a glimmer of hope for a ceasefire deal and the potential return of forty hostages.

However, upon our return to the US, we were met with heartbreaking news: the fate of these forty hostages, along with most of the remaining 133, remains unknown, and they are feared dead. Additionally, we returned amidst an active threat from Iran to target Israeli and US assets in the region.

During our six-day journey to Tel Aviv, Otef Azza (Gaza Envelope), Haifa, Beersheva, and Jerusalem, we visited places that now hold both sacred and somber significance, bearing witness to traumatic memories intermingled with hope. From Hostage Square in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to the Kibbutz Kfar Azza, where a modern-day pogrom unfolded, and the site of the Nova Music Festival tragedy, each location carried its own weight of sorrow and resilience.

We listened to survivors of the Kibbutz Kfar Azza pogrom, IDF soldiers who bravely volunteered on October 7th, and their mothers, unsung heroes of this conflict. We also met with Wahid Al-Hazeel, founder of the Civil Forum for those Harmed Among the Negev Bedouin, to hear firsthand accounts of the devastating events of October 7th.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

We visited Yemen Orde and learned about the innovative educational work they are doing and continuously updating\u00a0 to address the on-going issues with war. We also heard the extraordinary care being given to children who came to them from Ukraine because of Russia’s war with Ukraine and the specific needs of children dealing with the trauma of two wars.\u00a0<\/p>


Engaging with Russian-speaking young adult leaders in Haifa and learning from individuals who fled Mariupol at the onset of Russia’s war with Ukraine provided further insight into the complexities of navigating two wars.

Praying at the Kotel during the last Friday of Ramadan, amidst a diverse congregation peacefully coexisting under the watchful guard of Israeli security forces, underscored the significance of Israeli sovereignty in maintaining peace and harmony.

Though there’s much more to share, for now, I’ll post some pictures and ask for prayers for the safe return of the hostages, de-escalation of the conflict, and the attainment of a ceasefire.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I also want to thank CJP– Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston for their Support. Yemen Orde, The Boston-Haifa Partnership, Moishe House Haifa, Ministry of Absorption-Haifa,\u00a0 Kibbutz Kfar Azza, Soroka Hospital in Beersheva, our tour partner, Keshet Educational Journeys and the many individuals who generously\u00a0 gave of their time to share with us.\u00a0

This journey reaffirmed the importance of standing in solidarity with those in need. Action-PSJ remains committed to supporting communities in Ukraine and beyond, providing vital humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable.

As we approach Passover, I urge you to consider making a financial contribution to Action-PSJ, ensuring our continued ability to provide assistance where it’s needed most.

If you’ve already donated in 2024, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you’re able to give more, please do so generously. And if you haven’t yet donated, please join us in making a difference. \u00a0 Donate Here<\/a>

Shabbat Shalom,\u00a0

<\/p>

Debbie<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTo support our work in Ukraine<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice\u2013once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2016"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2042,"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016\/revisions\/2042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actionpsj.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}