Five Towns Takes on Israel

Chabad of the Five Towns’ Israel Mission, which took place from January 15th through January 24th, was filled with spirituality, excitement, history lessons, a love of Israel and all around fun.

Israel has a way of infusing people with spiritual adrenalin that allows us to experience an inordinate number of sights in a short amount of time and that was true of the whole mission.

The group enjoyed explanations from the learned, well-traveled and well-spoken Rabbi Zalman Wolowik and tour guide David Soloman who used their tireless energy to explain the Halachic, Chassidic and Midrashic history of Israel. Israel Maven Tours did a spectacular job in arranging a tour that was well suited to all the participants.

Fascinating learning opportunities included learning about underground bullet manufacturing during the British Mandate at the Ayalon Institute, and appreciating our senses by visiting Dialogue in the darkness Musuem.

The mission actively participated in volunteering with Israel’s Project Leket-Israel’s National Food Bank- gleaning fruits for distribution to Israel’s needy. Everyone enthusiastically participated and picked an amazing 800 kg of clementines, helping to feed well over 400 families that week.

A highlight of the trip was visiting an army base up north and along with some Five Towns Community members sponsored a delicious (and much appreciated!) barbecue for the soldiers on the base. More than 300 soldiers were uplifted by the music and gifts. The soldiers deeply appreciated a special laminated chapter of Tehillim and sweets that were prepared as a Chessed in connection with Levi Yitzchak Wolowik OBM’s Bar Mitzvah.

Personalized leather tehillims were distributed to female soldiers in Kiryat Arba in honor of Bat Mitzvah of Hana Adler and Devora Golombeck.

The group visited Kfar Chabad where they learned about some of the many activities offered by Chabad such as the children of Chernobel program, and assisting victims of terror and their families. The spirit of Purim was palpable as everyone packed over 1000 Mishloach Manot that will be distributed to the brave men and women serving in Israeli Defense Force. A visit to the Matza Factory and to the 770 replica of the Chabad Lubavitch Worldwide Headquarters in Brooklyn proved to be interesting as well as inspiring.

Who could resist wine and chocolate? The adults enjoyed spending time at the Psagot Winery with beautiful scenery of the Shomron. Naturally, tasting the wine produced in that region was part of the itinerary. The DeKarina Chocolate factory was a delicious way for parents and kids to learn about how chocolate is made, and they then had a blast making (and tasting!) their own chocolate.

We learn in Shmuel Aleph about Chana, who was childless for 19 years and because of her sincere davening (prayer) at Shiloh, was blessed and became the mother of Shmuel Hanavi (the prophet). In gratitude to Hashem, she composed Shiras Chana. Very appropriately, Hana Adler, a Bat Mitzvah aged young lady, led everyone in the group in Shiras Chana at Shiloh, the site where Mishkan stood for 369 years. Everyone davened for couples who should be blessed with children.

The tour visited the mystical city of Tzefat, where they enjoyed the scenic views and narrow cobblestone alleys revealing artists’ galleries, and old synagogues. They learned firsthand about how a Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzas are written though a special 3D movie and interactive game show at Otzar Stam. They watched a live glass blowing demonstration by Sheva Chaya, a Kabbalistic artisan.

The group spent an inspiring Shabbat in Yerushalayim and welcomed Shabbat at one of the holiest places on earth—the Kotel! The participants had a Shabbat experience, enjoying singing & dancing with true Chabad spirit.

A special and meaningful visit to the holy city of Chevron and Kever Rochel (Rachel’s Tomb) utilized the opportunity to connect with 4000 years of History in a most tangible fashion.

For the adventure seekers, the tour incorporated zip lining, jeeping through the Golan Heights, climbing through the bunkers and camel rides.

Mr. Gil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post’s senior correspondent gave a first hand political update on the State of Israel which was thought provoking.

We paid tribute to the memory of the six million at Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Children’s Memorial. We had a special twinning Bar-Bat Mitzvah program which was very meaningful.

And of course, Eretz Yisroel is full of Holy sites. Some of the places visited were: The Kotel, Kever Rochel, Mearas Hamachpeila the Kever of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron and the Rambam.

The trip ended with a relaxing cruise on the Kineret and a farewell dinner at Decks Restaurant in Tiberias where a Bar/Bat Mitzva celebration for all the boys and girls in the group who were celebrating their Bar and Bat Mitzvas in the near future.

Everyone had a truly uplifting and enjoyable time, being inspired by those who reside in Israel and inspiring them at the same time, by our solidarity. To view pictures from the Israel trip and for more information about Chabad’s activities please visit www.chabadfivetowns.com