JewishMiami.org

Ha’azinu/Shabbat Shuva, by Rabbi Jay M. Kornsgold, JFNA Rabbinic Cabinet

A miracle does not prove what is impossible; rather it is an affirmation of what is possible.

-Maimonides-

‘We Are Family’ Mission Creates Memories

With their families and friends surrounding them and led by five Miami-area clergy, 29 teens and one adult became B’nai Mitzvah on a Thursday in June at the Southern Wall in Jerusalem. It was all part of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation “We Are Family” Mission to Israel, a 10-day experience with 146 participants, including Rabbis Jonathan Berkun of Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center — Beth Jacob, Terry Bookman of Temple Beth Am, Alan Litwak of Temple Sinai, and Mario Rojzman of Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus; Cantor Mark Kula of Bet Shira Congregation; and families from North and South Dade and other Jewish communities.

Following the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, the celebrants released 100 doves, representing the continued hope for peace. The day continued with a trip to the Dead Sea and Masada. As night fell, participants took a bus deeper into the desert, where they were met with a wall of fire cascading down a mountain. Surrounded by other mountains lit by multicolored lights and the “We Are Family” mission logo (see photo), participants enjoyed a gala dinner, drum circle and dancing late into the night.

“These were experiences my family and I will always cherish,” said Penny Remedios. “The B’nai Mitzvah ceremony was amazing, and the doves were just the icing on the cake; the B’nai Mitzvah party was the best I have ever experienced. I can remember how I felt and the awe in my daughter’s eyes as we were walking toward the party with the fire and the music in the background. I have told all my friends and relatives about this party in the middle of the desert.”

Members of the Goldfarb family at the desert party

Leaving Miami on June 13, the “We Are Family” mission featured six nights in Jerusalem, two nights at a kibbutz in the Upper Galilee and one night in Tel Aviv. The family-friendly itinerary included visits to museums and archeological sites, the City of David and Yad Vashem, a chocolate factory and a recreated biblical village in the Galilee, activities with an IDF combat unit, camel rides, a sunset dinner by the grottos of the Mediterranean Sea, and lunch at wineries. There were hands-on volunteer activities, including picking vegetables to feed the hungry, and outdoor adventures with rafting, ATVs, zip-lining and more.

Participants also had the opportunity to meet with Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, a Federation overseas partner, who set the tone for the mission with a briefing on the strength of a united Jewish people.

Mission participants celebrate “Kabbalat Shabbat” overlooking the Western Wall in Jerusalem

“Thank you again for everything you did to make our trip such an unforgettable experience,” wrote Debby and Bob Cohen, following the mission. “I get chills when I think of all the awesome things that we did. To say this experience met our expectations is quite the understatement!”

“It was an amazing trip,” agreed Adele and Ken Hertz. “We are still thinking about all the wonderful experiences we had. Looking forward to the next one!”

To learn about upcoming missions to Israel, contact Karen Weiner at missions@gmjf.org or 786.866.8436.

Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Stanley C. Myers Building
4200 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33137-3279
Telephone: 305-576-4000

The Mission of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is to mobilize human and financial resources to care for those in need, strengthen Jewish life and advance the unity, values and shared purpose of the Jewish people in Miami, in Israel, and around the world.