Last word...

from David

We returned from Israel last week. In no time we were back into the rhythms of life in the Mandell JCC. Since we returned home, our in-boxes have been crowded with emails from our colleagues on the trip who returned to their JCCs in cities through North America....Tucson, Jacksonvlle, Toronto, Salt Lake City, Springfield, Baltimore.... All of us sharing appreciation for the experience and for the camaraderie of such a great group of people. This is one of the results of a trip like this - the new friendships across the miles.

This has been an amazing experience. We started in Poland where we learned about the history of a rich and vibrant Jewish community there. We walked through the remnants of the evil that took the six million from us. And we experienced the impact of a JCC in helping to re-build the Jewish community.

We came to Israel, the Jewish people's greatest triumph. We celebrated Shabbat, met with brilliant inventors, ate far too much wonderful food, visited old and new neighborhoods, enjoyed live music and beautiful art, experienced the ancient history of the four quarters of the Old City. We spent a morning in the newly reopened Israel Museum filled with some of the most spectacular treasures that tell the stories of the Jewish people. We shopped in the market, climbed the tower of the YMCA had tea on the terrace of the historic Kind David Hotel. Most memorable are the people we met whose efforts and accomplishments are so extraordinary. Human rights activists, venture capitalists, inventors, musicians, and students. We met with Israeli and Palestinians who had lost loved ones to terrorism. No matter how many times I have come here, there is always something new and there are always different perspectives to consider.

Jill and I look forward to exploring with our community the many possibilities for bringing groups to Israel for unforgettable experiences. We have talked about arts and culture trips, family programs, food and wine tours, fitness and wellness experiences and archeological digs. We have the unique opportunity to work with JCCs in other cities in putting together these programs. The JCC Association office in Israel is ready to help us, through the new Boarding Pass Program, to access access resources that are often not available on the typical trips.

Over the next several months, we would like to get together and talk about what kind of trips you, our community, would like us to put together. We both understand that this has to come from you. We will help to pull together the structure with the best resources to make it memorable.

You'll be hearing from us!