UPJ to send solidarity mission to Israel
The Union for Progressive Judaism is to launch the first-ever UPJ Solidarity Mission to Israel.
A mission to Israel
The UPJ is the roof body for 26 Progressive communities and organisations in the Asia-Pacific region.
October 7 changed the lives of every Israeli, and it also changed us in the Diaspora. One outcome from this experience has been the re-connection of Israeli and Diaspora Jewry. Our shared destiny and the importance of supporting each other in these challenging times has not been more apparent than it is now.
Israel desperately needs and appreciates Diaspora Jews coming to the country, being with them, volunteering, and understanding the challenges they face. In 2022, over 2,600,000 tourists came to Israel. Since October 7, this has dropped to virtually zero. By committing to come, we are making an enormous difference to both the economy, as well as the spirit of Israel and Israelis.
The nission will run from
L.Tadd Schwab who just completed a Progressive Mission to Israel, writes:
“……a mentor of mine taught me the importance of presence. When someone is suffering, our job is not to pull that person to the next step or push them to the next step, or even to tell them which way to go. It is simply this: to say that as you take this next step in your life, or choose not to take a step, that we are here to hold your hand and walk with you. To visit Israel today is to offer the gift of presence – certainly to offer our hands to help and volunteer, but also simply to offer a hand to hold, to offer the warmth of a loving embrace”.
This trip is also special for us as a movement. It is the opportunity for our region to promote our strength and commitment to Israel, by coming together on this unique journey. As our first such endeavour, we are very committed to making it a success. We are working with the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism and the World Union for Progressive Judaism along with an experienced tour provider to ensure it is safe and successful. The timing of the Mission means participants can stay on and experience what will likely be the most poignant Yom Hazykiron and Yom Haatzmaut in Israel’s history. The opportunity to stand in solidarity with the people of Israel, hear first-hand about the events and repercussions of 7 October, volunteer to make a difference, and all of this while experiencing the joy of Progressive Judaism, is unique.
The Mission will visit the Knesset, the Supreme Court, and the Foreign Ministry and meet politicians, journalists, and activists. Participants will meet with military experts on an army base, volunteer in agriculture, give blood at a hospital and cook a barbecue for soldiers serving in the South. They will meet with families of hostages, evacuees from the North and South, and visit Kfar Arza and Sderot. They will spend Shabbat in Progressive Synagogues and with Progressive communities and will pray at the Kotel with Women of the Wall on Rosh Chodesh. These are experiences of a lifetime.
There has never been a more important time to travel to Israel. If you are interested, join us and help make a difference at this historic time in our history as a nation and a people.
You can click here to get involved or for further information including a sample itinerary: www.upj.org.au/news/upj-solidarity-mission-to-israel/
Danny Hochberg is co-President of the UPJ
