Members of Community Synagogue of Rye traveled to Israel in early March and shared their experiences and observations at a recent Friday night service at the synagogue.
The congregants, led by Rabbi Gropper and joined by Rabbi Jill Pearlman of Temple Isaiah of Lafayette, Calif., were part of a group of 18 who made the trip to show support for Israel during its war in Gaza. On Friday evening, March 22, members of the delegation addressed their fellow congregants.
In words that left those assembled silent with emotion, the travelers spoke of:
• Hearing a resident of a village near the Gaza border describe the Hamas attack and how he and his family survived in a dark safe room in his home. They also heard from other survivors of the attack.
• Visiting a square in Tel Aviv where victims of the Oct. 7 massacre were remembered.
• Sorting and packing produce as volunteers to replace agri- cultural workers who had gone to fight in the war.
• Visiting with Israelis who left the Gaza border.
• Learning how the country was coping with the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack.
“It was heartening to see all the volunteers adding to the strong civil society, inspirational to see the resolve and faith and hope of the Israeli people, and even sometimes fun,” one traveler said. “Most of us who went didn’t know each other. We were lucky enough to share this experience that bonded us together.”
