A Journey of Solidarity

A Journey of Solidarity: Powerful Takeaways From our Impactful Journey in Israel

by Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield I had the incredible privilege of traveling to Israel with Aish amidst a war, accompanied by a group of over 60 volunteers from across the US. It undeniably stands as the most profound experience of my life. Since then, I have grappled with attempting to articulate my journey to those who inquire, "So, how was Israel?" Describing it proves nearly impossible as I am tasked with translating emotions into words.

The closest I can come to conveying the essence of the experience is by likening it to the feeling of being newly in love. Picture feeling the perpetual sense of butterflies in the stomach and all the intense emotion that comes with that constantly, directed towards every person all the time. The streets of Israel resonate with an overwhelming and pervasive sense of love and unity. This theme echoed consistently throughout our mission. When we asked individuals what message they wished for us to convey back to America, the resounding response was simple: Unity.

In Israel, the prevailing hashtag of the conflict is "Yachad n'natzayach" — together we will win — and this sentiment is actively unfolding. The people there are united, and their message to us is clear: we, too, must come together. We need to foster unity and cultivate love for one another.

I have endeavored to share my experiences in writing, aspiring to inspire others as I have been inspired. I perceive this opportunity not merely as a personal encounter but as a responsibility to disseminate what I witnessed and learned to as many individuals as possible. If you are interested in getting involved, please feel free to reach out to me at mlehrfield@joidenver.com.

Day 1

Arrival Amidst Clouds of Glory

Embarking on our Israel Solidarity Mission at Miami International Airport was marked by a profound sense of purpose. Carrying supplies for troops, the airport staff's gratitude heightened our awareness of the significant undertaking ahead. As our plane began its initial descent we were surrounded on all sides by clouds. It was reminiscent of the Clouds of Glory that surrounded the Jewish people in the desert. Just as those clouds protected the Jewish people, I felt this was a sign from above that Hashem was with us now as well. As we touched down, the signs of kidnapped hostages adorned the airport, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the people of Israel.

Whirlwind of Compassion and Resilience

Our first day unfolded as a tapestry of compassion and strength. At Pantry Packers, where we packed food supplies, a serendipitous encounter with my cousin emphasized the interconnectedness of our mission. Pantry Packers is the food distribution arm of Tzedakah Central/Colel Chabad, the oldest continuously operating network of social services in Israel — established in 1788! Every month Pantry Packers delivers crates containing the necessary foods and household maintenance supplies to Israel's poorest families and senior citizens. Since the war began, they have shifted focus to the families that have been displaced. The woman who spoke with us — who had given this speech hundreds of times in the past — began to break down and cry. After composing herself she explained that we were the first group who had come to volunteer since September. She was so moved and grateful we were there. The emotional response from the staff affirmed the significance of our decision to be there.

A Glimpse into Heroism — Rose Lubin's Shiva

We then attended the Lubin shiva. Rose Lubin, a 20-year-old lone soldier from Dunwoody, Georgia, moved to Israel in 2021 to join the Israel Defense Forces. Rose bravely defended Jewish communities near the Gaza border during the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7. Her commander offered her time off to recuperate, but she insisted on resuming her duties. Tragically, on Nov. 6, Rose was stabbed near Herod's Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. The funeral, attended by more than 15,000 people, most of whom never met Rose, became a poignant tribute to her indomitable spirit. Rose Lubin emerged as a symbol of love for Israel and self-sacrifice. Her legacy, immortalized on the grounds of Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery, serves as a reminder of the price paid by those who stand at the forefront of defending a dream.

An Evening of Inspiration

The evening continued with a visit to Aish HaTorah opposite the Western Wall for dinner, where we heard from Rabbi Berkovits, dean of Aish; Rabbi Burg, CEO; and Gen. Doron Gavish from the IDF. Gen. Gavish shed light on the objectives and harsh realities faced by Israel: to end Hamas as a military organization, rescue hostages and secure safe borders — a daunting task given the relentless rocket attacks. To put it into perspective, during WWII, 2,500 rockets were fired at Britain. In this war 3,000 rockets are fired in just one day.

Day 2

Preparing Meals for Soldiers

There's a notable coffee chain in Israel called Aroma. Amidst the challenging times it transformed one of its larger locations into a dedicated wartime sandwich-making operation. Every day, approximately 10,000 sandwiches are packed with the help of volunteers from diverse backgrounds and age groups. I took on the role of frying omelets. The kitchen echoed with the joyous sounds of volunteers singing and dancing as they cooked. A designated section had volunteers, particularly children, writing notes and decorating sandwich bags for the soldiers — simple expressions like "I love you! Have a great day." The soldiers receiving these meals would feel the warmth and love that went into every bite.

United Hatzalah's Heroism

Raphael Poch, an EMT and United Hatzalah spokesperson, shared poignant narratives about the organization of volunteer first responders. One Hatzalah member became a hostage, and seven others had family members taken captive. Amidst the massacre at the Supernova Music Festival, a 23-year-old Muslim volunteer, Awat Darwashta, lost his life while trying to save others. United Hatzalah saved 3,000 lives on Oct. 7.

Shura Army Base

Our next stop was perhaps the most intense experience of my life: Shura army base, an unassuming outpost transformed into a focal point for dealing with the deceased. With meticulous care, the base manages the identification and respectful handling of fallen soldiers and victims of the terror attacks. Rabbi Bentzi Mann shared his experiences as part of the team handling the aftermath. He explained that when soldiers die defending the Jewish people they are referred to as kedoshim, holy ones — soldiers are buried in their uniforms and boots instead of the typical burial shrouds. We visited the world's largest Ark, which houses thousands of Torah scrolls for Army units. By now 100,000 pairs of tzitzit have been distributed to IDF soldiers. Many who don't normally consider themselves religious wear them. They call it their "real bullet proof vest."

Shlomit: A Community Bound in Adversity

We ran an event for displaced families from Shlomit at the Cramim hotel, sponsored by the Abelson, Mackiernan, Miller and Shoflick families in honor of Ashtyn's Bat Mitzvah. While the children were entertained by a magician, we heard from adults about their harrowing experience on Oct. 7 — including Rabbi Adler, whose community's civilian defenders left their own community vulnerable to rush to the aid of neighboring Pre Gan, and Dana Cohen, widow of community leader Aviad Gad Ben Osher, who fell defending Pri Gan. Dana urged everyone to cherish their loved ones: "And if you have someone in your life you love, love them." Amidst her personal anguish, she expressed gratitude for our presence — and invited us to visit her in Shlomit when it is rebuilt.

Day 3

Our day began in a field near Rishon L'Tzion, where we joined Leket Israel in picking sweet potatoes for those in need — together we picked eight tons. We then visited an army base in the Northern Negev and met a special forces unit whose commander had been in Gaza that morning. We had time to talk personally with the soldiers and share the letters we brought from Denver. They said what gives them the most strength is knowing that Jews throughout the world are thinking of and praying for them. At Kibbutz Alumim, Jeremy Mizel recounted how the 12-member security team fended off 40 to 50 terrorists on Oct. 7. At an army base near Ofakim, Aish sponsored a BBQ for 700 soldiers — an opportunity to share hugs and express our deep love and appreciation.

Day 4

We departed for Gush Etzion, where we heard from injured heroes of Oct. 7. One participant asked, "Do you wonder where G-d was during the attacks?" The response: "You're asking that question 3,000 years too late. One thing I can tell you is that Hashem was with me every step of the way in battle." We delivered "Eshet Chayil" packages to wives of soldiers called into reserve duty. We heard from a reserve unit — Jews and non-Jews, liberals and conservatives, religious and secular — who told us that weeks ago they might have found no common ground, but now viewed each other as brothers. An astounding 85% of their viewpoints aligned, and the remaining 15% became subjects on which they could peacefully agree to disagree. It was worth traveling across the world just to hear this message. Friday night at the Western Wall was filled with uplifting singing and dancing, followed by dinner at Aish.

Day 5 — Shabbat Shalom

For the first time since we touched down we had a calm quiet day. Our group was honored to have a private audience with Rabbi Berel Wein. Shabbat concluded with a musical Havdalah as other hotel guests, including families displaced from the south, joined in singing and dancing. On Saturday night, some participants visited injured soldiers in the hospital. When asked what they could do for them, the only thing requested was tzitzit — we brought a dozen pairs back the next day.

Day 6

Our final day commenced at Har Herzl, Israel's military cemetery, where over 25,000 fallen soldiers have been laid to rest. The sight of numerous new memorial bricks engraved with the date 7.10.2023 was haunting. At the Knesset, Speaker Amir Ohana briefed us on the situation and expressed his gratitude for coming during this difficult time. Back at Aish we met Yael, the aunt of teenager Ofir Engel, abducted on October 7. On my way to the airport I visited Omer — an injured soldier who served as an Israeli emissary in Denver in 2019 — recovering from an RPG injury, still smiling, still grateful.

One of my favorite "Only in Israel" moments occurred at the airport: the store was unattended at 2am — refrigerators open, snacks laid out, nothing locked up. Why would I think my brother or sister would steal from me? It was that spirit of unity that drew me to Israel, and it's what I am committed to bringing back to the States. If you'd like to join me in my mission of Jewish unity here in America, please reach out at mlehrfield@joidenver.com.