Embarking on our first ITEC Solidarity Mission to Israel was a profoundly moving and powerful experience. Over four packed and emotional days, 14 participants saw first-hand the resilience of the Israeli spirit.
During the four-day mission trip, participants engaged in various activities that provided a deep and multifaceted understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and communities in Israel in light of current events. The initial day involved volunteering with hostage families, a visit to Hostage Square, and a poignant dinner with the Tzarfati family, who shared the heartbreaking story of their son, Ofir, who was kidnapped and killed. The second day focused on visiting and having a deeper understanding of the massacres in the Gaza Envelope, acknowledging tragedies in Kfar Aza, at the Nova Music Festival and Kibbutz Zikim, and ending the day by spending time with the resilient children of ITEC Ashkelon.
On the third day, the group went to Jerusalem, where they visited the Oketz Special Canine IDF Unit, heard insights from the Jerusalem Center for Public Policy, and ended the day at the Kotel. The final day included volunteering at Moshav Yad Hashmona and a closing session at ITEC Ramat Hasharon, where participants met and heard from injured soldiers, an unforgettable and impactful experience.
This mission aimed not only to educate but also to foster empathy and understanding. ITEC CEO, Ilan Allali, encapsulated the sentiment, stating, “Our participants heard dozens of heroic stories firsthand from survivors, soldiers, policymakers, and ITEC families. It had a deep impact on all of us.”
To learn more and register for ITEC’s 2nd Solidarity Mission taking place March 17th-20th, please contact Sophie Katz-Sulam, sophiek@tennis.org.il, ITEC VP of Global Relations, or feel free to call me directly at 917.885.8987.
To see photos from the trip, view our Flickr album HERE.
