Celebrating 75 years of an independent Jewish state with UIA
UIA commemorated the miraculous milestone of Israel’s 75th anniversary by joining over 750 Keren Hayesod-UIA supporters from around the world for a Homeland celebration.
Over 80 Australians joined groups from across the Jewish world, including Canada, France, Argentina and a number of other South American and European countries as part of Israel’s 75th-anniversary celebrations and Keren Hayesod’s Annual World Conference, Women’s Mifgash, Young Leadership Kesher Seminar and other missions.
A visit to an air force base
More than 50 supporters participated in UIA’s Yom Ha’atzmaut and Major Donors Missions, which once again gave participants access to unique experiences and speakers – from culture, history and security to innovation, creativity and cuisine, and most importantly, seeing UIA’s lifesaving work firsthand.
Mission highlights included a Keren Hayesod-UIA Yom Ha’atzmaut picnic at Havat Ronit together with other Missions from around the world, as well as unprecedented access to a Hezbollah tunnel on the northern border. There was also a visit to the Tel Nof air force base and interactions with the full array of aircraft and equipment available to the Israel Air Force.
Participants also saw and felt the impact that Keren Hayesod-UIA-supported projects are making on Israelis’ lives and society. Visiting Kiryat Gat, Jerusalem and Ra’anana Absorption Centres, a first home for many new Olim (immigrants), was eye-opening for participants. Participants were moved when meeting Olim from Russia, Ukraine and Ethiopia who had recently made Aliyah with their support.
It was heart-warming to witness the revolutionary Youth Futures program, which helps empower over 12,000 at-risk children and their families. Additionally, participants visited the Hadassah Neurim and Ramat Hadassah Youth Villages, which help disadvantaged youth cope with integration difficulties as well as Net@ Ramle, which provides technological training to high school students on Israel’s periphery.
Between sightseeing and taking in the tastes and textures of the Holy Land, participants heard from high-calibre speakers who gave professional and personal insights into the fields of politics, security and culture, including Avi Melamed, a former senior official on Arab affairs; Tal Schneider, Political Correspondent for the Times of Israel as well as human rights lawyer, Gadi Ezra. Amit Segal, chief political correspondent and commentator for Channel 12 News and Ohad Hemo, the leading Palestinian Affairs reporter in Israel gave extraordinary understandings, while B. G. (Res.) Gal Hirsch and Col (Ret) Kobi Marom gave overviews of Israel’s security on the Northern borders.
They were also given a tour of the Gaza Strip border and the city of Sderot, where the region’s population live under constant threat of rocket fire, as well as visiting the seem line in Jerusalem with Dani Tirza, the architect of Israel’s security barrier with the West Bank – an experience that participants on both Missions are sure never to forget.
Experiencing the National Days in Israel evoked a spectrum of emotions, from the sadness of Yom HaZikaron to immense joy at the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations. Of course, it goes without say that participants had the chance to visit Yad Vashem and Mount Herzl; experience Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel, see the Tower of David’s Night Spectacular ’King David Show’, visit the new excavations at the Western Wall Tunnels, enjoy authentic Druze Hospitality and explore the city of Safed.
Mission participant Sam Parasol from Melbourne reflected: “The Mission was the most wonderful, never-to-be-forgotten experience. The preparation by UIA personnel- from the guides and speakers; to the food and every detail was excellent. Kol Hakoved to all. I would highly recommend future missions.”
“Our outstanding Shlichim, guides and speakers have given us great insight into the life and challenges that Israel faces. I will treasure the memories of this time,” Helen White (also from Melbourne) added.
Glynis Bass from Sydney said: “Each day was filled to the brim with unbelievable adventures. We were inspired every day and filled with positivity and hope.”
UIA CEO Yair Miller told J-Wire: “A UIA mission is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences that one can have in Israel. I am always amazed when our local Israel madrichim tell us they have never experienced many of the things we are able to provide our participants. We are so proud of the lifesaving work we do in Israel each and every day and using these experiences to connect our donors to their homeland and our beneficiaries is one of the unique privileges of my role.”
As not all Israelis are Jewish, as other citizens are Christian, Muslims and perhaps other tiny religions, like Zoroastrians, its betters to just call his country Israel, instead of the Jewish state.