ISRAEL JOURNAL 2025
Our community was honored to participate in the JLI's Land and Spirit trip to Israel. The stories, interactions, and special moments from this journey are far too plentiful to fully recount here—and, more strikingly, words can only faintly express the immense emotions entwined with this remarkable experience. Still, this account is our sincere endeavor to convey its spirit. I offer my profound thanks to Rabbi Ruvi New of Chabad of East Boca Raton for kindly sharing his insights, which made this reflection possible. Though I could easily dedicate pages to the splendor of the hotel, the richness of the cuisine, and the impeccable service and concierge throughout, I’ve chosen to highlight the more impactful elements of this unforgettable trip. (I hope to add more images next week, so visit this page again!)
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
When you fly ElAl, the Israel experience begins as soon as you board and are greeted with a warm “shalom” by the flight attendants, and the standard flight procedure announcements on the PA system including wishes and prayers for the return of the hostages and the safety and success of the soldiers. (Truth is that the experience begins even before that at the Chabad Tefillin stand by the check in counter, where travelers are greeted with a warm smile and offered the opportunity to do a Mitzvah before going up to the Holy Land.)
MDA CENTER
After a quick coffee in the airport and meeting up with most of our fellow 150 participants, we hit the road headed for the new Magen David Adom center in Ramla. The new center which opened in May 2002, features The Marcus National Blood Services Center, a new underground shielded blood services center dedicated by Bernie (OBM) and Bili Marcus and is designed to protect Israel’s strategic blood reserves from a missile, chemical or biological attack or earthquakes. The center also features a unique milk bank.
The vertical sign on of the beams in the building says it all: “whoever saves one life, saves a world”.
CAESAREA
From Ramla, we headed to Caesarea, the “jewel of the Mediterranean,” famous for King Herod’s massive harbor—second biggest in the ancient world. It’s got cool stuff like the Amphitheater, basically Israel’s take on Madison Square Garden, plus ruins of a palace and hippodrome. Still wiped from the flight, I couldn’t get over the vibe: waves smashing against old stones while modern shops and tourist spots sit right up front—history and today mixing it up in a wild, awesome way.
LUNCH at LATRUN
By now everyone was beyond exhausted and feeling pretty hungry. The first lunch took care of all of that in spectacular style, with delicious varieties of food and an inspiring talk and performance by IDF First Sergeant, Mordechai Shenvald. Mordechai was severely injured when a missile struck his tank on November 2, 2023 during operations in Gaza, fracturing 11 of his 12 ribs and puncturing his lungs. An amazing violinist, Mordechai became known as “the wounded fiddler” playing for himself and others throughout his recovery at the Sheba Medical Center. Mordechai’s story moved and inspired and his performance had even the weariest of travelers clapping and dancing on their feet.
JERUSALEM - YERUSHALAYIM
We were greeted in Jerusalem with wine, fruit and music at the Haas Promenade, featuring a stunning view of Jerusalem and the Old City. At the Old City we marched or better yet, danced our way down to the Kotel, with spirited music and dancing, as we followed the footsteps of the generations over the ancient and timeless stones of Jerusalem.
At the Kotel we prayed for our families and our communities, for the hostages and for the soldiers and we sang and danced together in one big circle as one man with one heart.
A SURPRISE BAR MITZVAH
Day 1 was capped off by a beautiful dinner at the hotel, with live music and a surprise Bar Mitzvah celebration for Edan Shpitz, son of Alexander Shpitz who died in battle in Gaza. Edan was hoisted onto the shoulders of Mendel Kaplan, as the whole room broke out in a celebratory dance. His young mother took in the celebration with joy and tears. It was awful that Alexander wasn't there to celebrate his son’s Bar Mitzvah, but beautiful to see the joy on his face welcoming the warm embrace from hundreds in the room and indeed from the entire Jewish World.
DAY 2
Day two, was actually supposed to be visits to Kibbutzim that were attacked on October 7th, the Nova Festival site and Sderot, but Hashem had other plans. Due to the resumption of fighting on Monday night, the entire area is currently restricted from any visitors.
The trip organizers, JLI and Israel Maven scrambled behind the scenes to create an alternate itinerary and pulled it off seamlessly.
AN UNEXPECTED FUNERAL 
As we prepared to board the buses, I learned that my wife Chana’s grandmother, a remarkable woman who lived 97 full years, had passed away at home in Israel. This gave me the chance to attend her funeral later that day—my first in Israel, a deeply meaningful experience (I shared a ride to the funeral with her grandson’s grandson!). After visiting Shura Base, I went to Kfar Chabad and then Jerusalem for the funeral. For the rest of the day’s events, I’ve included details borrowed from the notes of Rabbi Ruvi New of Boca Raton, who joined the trip with his community.
SHURA BASE
Shura Base, just outside Ramla, is where all fallen soldiers’ bodies are taken for identification and burial prep. Over 800 victims from the October 7th attack flooded in within 48 hours—way too many for the space—so they used refrigerated trucks meant for ice cream and chocolate milk to hold the remains. Our guide said he can’t stomach those drinks anymore after that.
The care, sensitivity, and respect given to every body and body part at Shura reflect pure chessed (kindness). Not a single body or part remains unidentified; no one leaves as a number. Each retains their name, forever remembered for their sacrifice defending Israel. While bodies in Israel are usually buried in shrouds, soldiers are placed in caskets. Under a shroud, a body’s form is visible, but a soldier’s remains may be incomplete—sometimes just a part. The casket preserves their dignity and spares families from knowing how much remained. What matters most is their sacrifice and eternal soul.
TEL HASHOMER HOSPITAL AND REHAB CENTER
Our next stop was Tel Hashomer just outside Ramat Gan, one of Israel’s largest hospitals and trauma centers.
The sight of so many wounded young soldiers and civilians with severe injuries is almost too difficult to bear. And yet, on almost all of them there is a smile on their face, grateful to be alive.
A TEFILLIN MIRACLE
Mixed into the trauma are stories of miraculous survival. Ofer Barack shared an inspiring story about his brother Shalev, whom we met as he headed to a rehab session.
Twenty-year-old Shalev lost many friends on October 7th, though not from a religious family, he chose to honor their memories by setting up a Tefillin stand in his hometown, Ma’ale Adumim. He reached out to the local Chabad House, which provided the stand, and Shalev turned it into a popular spot. He also encouraged tzedakah (charity), placing a Hebrew sign on the stand quoting the sages: “Tzedakah saves from death.”
Called to duty in Gaza, Shalev and his officer triggered a mine. The officer, whose photo hangs in Shalev’s room, died instantly, and Shalev was severely wounded. Flown to Tel Hashomer, doctors told his family his left arm required amputation. The family asked them to wait. Soon, a Rabbi familiar with Shalev’s Tefillin stand called the doctor, insisting that the merit of Shalev wrapping Tefillin on so many left arms would save his own. The doctor agreed to try, and Shalev’s arm was preserved, though he lost two fingers and part of his index finger—leaving just enough to still wrap Tefillin.
HOSTAGES, PATIENTS and PRAYERS
At Tel Hashomer, we offered support and blessings to patients. There, we unexpectedly met former hostages Sapir Cohen and her recently freed boyfriend Sasha Trufanov, who was there for rehab. Sapir was distributing Tehillim (Psalms) books, sharing how a Rabbi suggested reciting Psalm 27 daily a month before October 7th due to a foreboding feeling. She continued it in captivity, drawing strength, and a philanthropist later printed a special Tehillim edition in her honor.
As Sapir spoke, participant Steve Paley wept. He later explained he’d heard Sapir at the JLI Retreat, despairing over Sasha’s chances of release. His wife Laura began lighting an extra Shabbat candle weekly for Sasha, and now they met him—coincidence?
HOSTAGE SQUARE
From Tel Hashomer to Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where pop up hostage themed displays are everywhere including a makeshift tunnel experience. The thirty seconds it takes to walk through there are suffocating and claustrophobic enough…
The head of the Bring Them Home movement gave an impassioned talk about not giving up on the hostages. She spoke about the early days of the movement and how it came together organically on a donated floor of a Tel Aviv attorney’s office and how it grew out of there.
We then heard the riveting story of released hostage Luis Har, who was held in captivity for 129 days, when he was rescued in a heroic mission by the IDF Elite unit.
“Dinner and Dancing” at GOLANI ARMY BASE
For dinner, we drove north to the Golani Army Base, a training ground for one of the IDF’s most elite units, where soldiers train up to seven years, many becoming officers and high-ranking officials.
We sponsored a mega BBQ for the whole base. The energy soared with lively music as we danced with the soldiers, a true outpouring of love and “Mishpacha”—one unbreakable family. A Rabbi declared: “You are the world’s champions, fighting for Israel and Jews everywhere. We love you, support you, appreciate you—may Hashem protect you!”
THE HERO of OFAKIM 
On Wednesday, we met Rachel Edri, the renowned "cookie hero" of Ofakim, who spoke at our event. On October 7th, she was held hostage by five Hamas terrorists for 22 harrowing hours, using her motherly wisdom and charm to stay alive.
Itamar Alus, an Ofakim resident and Negev Traffic Police officer, shared his gripping October 7th story. He single-handedly took down terrorists and saved lives, recounting the experience as he walked the streets where those battles unfolded.
IMAGES and their STORIES
Oren Cohen, the official trip photographer/videographer, is a freelance photographer who has been contracted by the IDF many times to photograph and document for the IDF. A few years ago he published a coffee table book - “Moments of the IDF” and he is set soon to release another photo journal book from October 7th.
Because of his work, Omer has seen more than most, and on Wednesday evening shared some of the images he captured on October 7th. Sparing us the most graphic images, Oren delivered a powerful presentation of first-hand accounts of what he witnessed both as a photographer and a soldier, having served over four hundred days of reserve duty in the past year. (Perhaps we can bring Oren to our community for a lecture and presentation)
EVERY STICKER TELLS A STORY
On our way to Chevron on Thursday, we stopped in Efrat and met Naomi Weiser, the mother of Roey Weiser, HY’D. Roey, a staff sergeant, had been deployed just before October 7th to a base near Gaza. He was killed by terrorists while heroically saving the lives of many unarmed and overwhelmed soldiers. To honor his memory, we studied a Mishna together. As she finished speaking, Naomi handed us stickers featuring Roey’s photo and one of his favorite sayings: “Life is so much easier if you just smile.” She explained that hearing how Roey’s image and words continue to spread and inspire others brings her family immense comfort and strength.
Across Israel, stickers commemorating victims of October 7th adorn traffic poles, streetlights, bus stops, and even the doorway of our ElAl plane. Each one, with a photo and a favorite saying, tells a story—of courage, of loss, of resilience. And yet, there are far too many of them.
CHEVRON (Hebron) - VISITING OUR FATHERS AND MOTHERS
It’s always mind-blowing to stand where our founding fathers and mothers rest—a sacred site nearly 4,000 years old.
After praying at the burial places of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, we gathered in the cave’s central area to hear from Elisheva Cohen, who, with her husband Danny, has been a Chabad emissary in Chevron for 20 years. Despite hostile neighbors and a government that hampers growth, they’ve served the community and IDF soldiers with love, an open home, and support for tens of thousands of annual visitors—though there should be more.
Efrat Mor from nearby Kiryat Arba, mother of Eitan, a hostage still in Gaza, spoke next. She distinguished “livkot” (to cry) from “lhitbachyen” (to whine)—crying is fine, complaining isn’t. It’s a theme we’ve heard all week: people with every reason to be bitter instead turn pain into action. The Mors are building a shul in Kiryat Arba for Eitan—may Hashem bring him and all hostages home soon!
After a tasty lunch at the Gutnick Center, Captain Menny Cohen, the Cohens’ son from the Operational Brigade, shared moving words. He lost two close co-soldiers on October 7th. Then, we hit Chevron’s streets, dancing where Abraham first owned land and King David once ruled—ground rich with Jewish history.
Cold, damp weather couldn’t dim our spirits as we danced, proclaiming, “Chevron, mai’az uletamid”—Chevron is ours forever! Soldiers on rooftops and the surrounding hills joined in song, the landscape echoing with music.
Going from Efrat and Menny’s heart-wrenching stories to joyful dancing minutes later would feel contradictory anywhere but Israel. It reflects the trip’s emotional rollercoaster—tales of loss, captivity, and suffering that somehow fuel the resilient spirit of Am Yisrael Chai. It’s a spirit we’ve all felt and hope to keep.
HARROWING HOSTAGE ACCOUNT
On Thursday night, we were joined by Eliya Cohen, who endured over 500 days in captivity, and his girlfriend, Ziv Abud. As they fled the Nova festival by car, a frantic call warned them of terrorists ambushing vehicles along their route. They sought refuge in an overcrowded shelter, but the terrorists soon descended, unleashing grenades and gunfire. A grenade exploded inside, killing twelve people. Ziv, buried beneath a pile of lifeless bodies, feigned death to survive, while Eliya was seized as a hostage—unaware that Ziv was still alive until his release.
Eliya’s account of his captivity was harrowing. He described how the terrorists “shielded” him from the frenzied “civilians” of Gaza, who were eager to lynch him, their bloodlust palpable. His chilling narrative included the moment a terrorist “surgically removed” a bullet from his leg using only tweezers—a crude procedure that left him awaiting proper surgery to repair the damaged bone.
A fund has been established to help Eliya. Please go to www.Charidy.com/Hereforthem/eliya
THE WESTERN WALL ON FRIDAY NIGHT
From Chevron on Thursday, where our prayers make their first landing in Israel, to the Western Wall on Friday night, where prayers make their next stop before being uploaded to heaven.
Thousands of Jews streamed to the wall, praying, singing, dancing as one. Circles of dancers with Jews of every stripe, from the striped caftans of Jerusalemite Chassidim, to IDF soldiers, and tourists, all are joined here together as one. With hearts bursting with joy and pride, we join the throngs for a spirited Shabbat service and then head back to the hotel for a beautiful Shabbat dinner on the terrace of the hotel overlooking the Old City walls.
Sirens started to go off just as we sat down to dessert, and we were told to all go inside. Thankfully the Houthi’s attempt to railroad our dessert was short- lived and we were soon back on the porch enjoying the magical view and the special Shabbat atmosphere, oh yeah, and delicious desert…
THE STORY of the COLORED PILLOW CASE
On Shabbos morning, we prayed together at the hotel and enjoyed seven mini-sermons between each Aliya, delivered TED Talk-style by various Rabbis.
Rabbi Meir Kaplan from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, told us about Blue, a teen who showed up at his Chabad House one Shabbos with his mom. Four years earlier, Blue had found a colored pillowcase with a pillow inside among family heirlooms, once his great-grandfather’s. He slept on it every night. At his first Shabbat service, Blue noticed the men’s tallis bags looked just like his “pillowcase.” That afternoon, he realized it was a tallis bag, and the “pillow” was his great-grandfather’s tallis. After Rabbi Kaplan’s story, Blue got an Aliya, wearing that same tallis he’d slept on for four years.
Blue’s Aliya was preceded by the first Aliya of Edan Shpitz, celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. Edan’s father, Alexander was killed six months ago in battle in Gaza, but everyone could feel the presence of his soul alongside his son, as he received his first Aliya and recited Kaddish for his father.
SHILO
Shilo, nestled in the Shomron (Samaria), is where the Mishkan, the Sanctuary, stood for 369 years, from about 1259 to 889 BCE.
One famous story from that era is Chana’s heartfelt plea at the Mishkan for a child. Her prayers were answered with the birth of Samuel—Shmuel Hanavi, the prophet—whose burial site, Nevei Shmuel, we visited on the way to Shilo.
On-site, stunning 3D films bring the Mishkan to life, showing its structure and the service to G‑d performed there. Two large signs caught my eye: one with Chana’s prayer, the other a Prayer for the Mishkan Site (Tefila Limkom Hamishkan), which reads in part: “Merciful King, I stand at the Mishkan in Shilo, where Chana prayed… In her merit, when you opened her barren womb, may her righteousness bless me and all Israel, that our prayers be heard…” (my loose translation).
Praying there, invoking Chana’s merit at the very spot she stood, feels raw, powerful, and deeply real.
BACK TO THE FUTURE in GENESIS LAND
The day ends at Genesis Land in the heart of the Judean desert. We donned the robes of our ancestors, took a ride on an Uber camel and wined and dined in Avraham and Sara’s tent.
Among the speakers was Tiran Attia, founder of Special in Uniform, an organization that helps special needs Israelis enlist in the IDF. Three of them formed a band, sang, and brought us all to our feet in spirited dance under the cool desert sky. Shachar Bukris dazzled with a spectacular light and laser show and with that another dazzling day in the Holy Land came to an end.
HEROINES at OLMAYA
Olmaya is a beautiful event space in Jerusalem overlooking the Old City and was the site of the Land and Spirit Farewell Dinner. True to JLI’s high standards of excellence, everything about the dinner was first class; the venue, the food, the entertainment and the speakers.
Among the featured speakers was Corporal Mali Shoshana, a 54 year old single mother from Ashdod, who volunteered for a reinforcement shift at the Sderot police station, spending eight hours on the rooftop of the police station fighting terrorists.
Iris Haim is the mother of Yotam Haim, a hostage who was killed in a tragic friendly fire mishap. She exudes strength and dignity and in her powerful remarks, shared how she and we, the Jewish people are not victims, we are the heroes of the world. She had famously consoled the soldier who couldn’t forgive himself for what he had done, and was a voice of healing for a traumatized nation.
She shared the pride and connection she felt when her 31-year-old son called her from the US and told her that he had recently put on Tefillin in a Chabad House in CT for the first time.
COMING HOME
If I had to pick one word to sum up the feeling this trip left me with, it’d be: humbled. Humbled by the resilience, faith, courage, strength, and pride of our brothers and sisters in Israel. Such a busy, packed itinerary keeps unfolding emotionally, sparking memories and insights that I’ll be unpacking for a long time.
“Mi K’amcha Yisrael”—“who is like Your people Israel”?
Hashem has much to be proud of. With the Festival of Freedom nearing, may He grant freedom to the hostages, safety and success to our soldiers, and bring us all home—this year in Jerusalem!
A huge Yasher Koach and thanks to JLI and Israel Maven for flawlessly organizing every detail of this trip. The Israel Maven staff are unmatched, and their tour guides are incredible. If you’re planning a trip to Israel, let Israel Maven craft one you’ll never forget.