Today the rabbis on the Israel Bonds Mission met up in Tel Aviv. We first went to Hostage Square which is still up and operational. Now the signs read "Until Last Hostage" and the clock continues to run showing days, hours, minutes and seconds. We sang songs and recited Psalms and Prayers.

We then went to i24 News and learned about the on going PR war that continues even as the military fighting stops and their role to try and fight against misinformation against Israel.

We then took a guided tour of the Tel Aviv Flea Market with food stops along the way for a progressive dinner. It was the first time I didn't drift off to sleep with jetlag at the opening dinner. 

Tomorrow we are up early to go to the Gaza Envelope.

Shalom from Israel,
Rabbi Randy Mark

Day 2 here in Israel was a very long day! We traveled south to the "Otef" the Gaza Envelope.  We first went to the Adi Negev-Nahalat Eran Rehabilitation Village. It is one of the most impressive places I have ever seen. Founded in 2005, the 40-acre village was named to honor the memory of Eran Almog, the late son and guiding light of founders Didi and Major General (Res.) Doron Almog. Fueled by his love for Eran, who was born with severe autism and cognitive disabilities, Doron Almog led the creation of the rehabilitation village, a community where people from diverse backgrounds and all levels of ability can live, heal and grow together. 

It is an inclusive community built specifically to accommodate the needs of everyone. Wide flat paths that can accommodate wheelchairs strolling side by side. A playground where wheelchairs can be on swings and a carousel. Wide doorways, ramps rather than stairs. 

The Village houses the only dedicated rehabilitation hospital in southern Israel. There are both permanent and temporary residents as well as outpatient care, with clients from infants to seniors. Residents, who elsewhere would be unemployable, do the gardening, keeping it bright with colors and filled with fragrances in the desert. Everyone is encouraged to be as independent as possible. 

They run a Gan/Kindergarten that integrates residents with non-disabled peers that now has a waiting list. 

This innovative center runs an IDF rehab that trains soldiers to return to combat. While others are helped to adjust to life with new disabilities. 

It is a public/private endeavor, receiving government funds as well as private donations. It took my breath away! 

Their slogan:  Sometimes I'm similar  Sometimes I'm different  But I'm always equal/of value!

We then went to Kibbutz Alumim. A religious Kibbutz that defended itself on Oct 7. After the initial killing and kidnapping of people working in the fields. A dozen members managed to hold off dozens of terrorists for hours until the army arrived and rescued them. Their story can be found by Googling Alumim Massacre. 

Extensive damage was done to their dairy farming equipment and yet they managed to be operational after only one day. 

One soldier, Ran Gvili, who was killed and taken, is one of the remaining seven bodies still being held hostage in Gaza. 

We then went on to the Nova Site, where we sang and prayed. We were joined by a tearful soldier that added to the poignancy of the moment. We also acknowledged the anniversary of the Rabin assassination and prayed for peace. 

Site of the Nova Music Festival

Finally, we went to the International Resilience Institute in Sderot. Another amazing and inspirational place that is doing so much to help so many. After years of rocket fire, they developed techniques for dealing with the stress that has made them leaders in coping with PTSD. Sadly, they were well situated to help people cope with Oct 7 and its aftermath. 

Next, it is on to Jerusalem. 

Shalom from Tel Aviv 

The last day of the mission was shorter and less intense than the other days were. We went first to Bar Ilan University where we were scheduled to study with one of their scholars, but somewhere the communication feel apart and sadly we recieved a presentation about Bar Ilan rather than the opportunity to study. 

I will say that Bar Ilan University is an impressive place! It started out as a place where observant Jews could go to college, however, they have taken the integration of traditional yeshiva learning and modern college learning so completely that it has also become a place where secular Jews can come to learn about Jews and Judaism. They  have challenged both secular and relgious Jews teaching tradtional texts and critical thinking side by side. They have grown 30% in the last decade, far more than any other university in Israel and are now larger than Hebrew University and are second only to Tel Aviv University! 

We then went to a hi-tech startup called Nura Global and learned how they are trying to help Israel's hi-tech startup industry to look beyond the US and EU for partners. They seek to develop ties with Africa and other developing countries as a way to bring Israeli ingenuity to help solve problems in developing countries and to create new partners and improve Israel's image in a part of the world that knows little about the middle east conflict. They are currently woking with 120 Israeli startups bringing their skills to Africa. 

This will be my last post as I now prepare for Shabbat. 
I look forward to seeing you back in NJ! 

Shabbat Shalom!!
Rabbi Randy Mark