Israel 2024

Israel – Today’s Solidarity and Understanding Tomorrow’s Challenges
A joint trip to Israel by EHRS and the Ark Synagogue, Northwood
Led by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Mark Goldsmith

Thursday 12 – Thursday 19 December 2024
Join us for this week to experience Israel today.

We will be based in Tel Aviv near the port area in comfortable hotel accommodation.
Our itinerary will include Shabbat in Tel Aviv with the Reform Jewish Community ending with Havdallah in the Hostage Square. Two days in Jerusalem including at the Knesset, The Cotel, and the new National Library. One day in Haifa and the Kinneret. Meeting Israeli Jews and Arabs and civil society leaders. The option to travel to the south & Gaza envelope to witness the results of the Hamas attacks.

We will be staying at the Isrotel Port Tower Hotel in Tel Aviv:
Single Room (city view) price for the week is £1568 on bed and breakfast basis- flights and other meals not included.
Double or Shared Room (city view) price for the week is £1190 on bed and breakfast basis- flights and other meals not included.  (We can help to organise shares if you don’t know who you would like to share with!)
For sea view there is a supplement of £250 for the week per room (though we won’t be spending much day time in the rooms!)

The price includes all admissions and travel within Israel from the hotel on the organised trip.

We aim to be able to keep these prices, though circumstances may require small changes.
You will need to organise and pay for your own flights and travel/health insurance. Rabbi Mark uses Harel travel health insurance which continues to be operative throughout Israel.

The EHRS Jewish Participation Fund is ready to help anyone who would like to come with us but cannot afford the price. Please ask Rabbi Mark for our simple application form.

To express your interest in the trip or to book please go to:  EHRS Israel Trip 2024

Rabbi Mark’s visit to Israel 25th to 29th February 2024 Rabbi Mark went to Israel to join, on behalf of the EHRS Clergy Team, a delegation of 13 British Reform and Liberal Rabbis.    While there he recorded these four short videos:

1)  Rabbi Aaron Goldstein as we arrived at Ben Gurion Airport and waited for our train to Tel Aviv, on why it was so important to come to Israel at this time. Click here to view.

2) Irit, a Kibbutznik at Nir Oz Kibbutz on the border with Gaza which was attacked by Hamas with many Kibbutz members murdered and kidnapped. Click here to view.

3) Lee Siegel, brother of Keith Siegel who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7th and whose name we remember in our services at EHRS, at his congregation Bircat Shalom on Kibbutz Gezer.  Click here to view.

4) Rema, an Israeli Arab speaking in Haifa at a community garden run jointly by Arab and Jewish residents of the city.   Click here to view.

EHRS meets Lee and Sheli Siegel – Keith Siegel is still a hostage of Hamas.  Lee’s brother Keith and sister in law Aviva were taken hostage from Kibbutz Azza on 7 October.  Aviva was released in December but Keith is still in captivity in Gaza. Lee and Sheli speak with members of EHRS about the plight of the families of hostages in Israel. Their 47 minute video is a remarkable testimony of Israel’s suffering and resilience. Click here to view.

Rabbi Debbie on Radio 5 Live and Radio London: Rabbi Debbie was interviewed on Radio 5 Live on Monday 30 October. Her interview begins four minutes into this programme. Rabbi Debbie was interviewed on Radio London on Sunday 22 October at one hour and forty-three minutes into this programme.

EHRS Youth Sing for Peace in Israel and Gaza: Please click here to see the video of EHRS Youth singing at their October camp for peace. Od Yavo Shalom Aleynu! Please do not share this video further but enjoy watching it.

Yochoved Lifschitz – the dignity of released hostage: This video within a BBC story shows the dignity one of the very few released hostages as she says shalom to her Hamas captor. Bring them home.

Our Jewish Values at this time of Crisis: Leaders, rabbis and members from across the Jewish community including at EHRS have signed a statement of Jewish values and core principles in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The statement is available to read and sign here www.ourjewishvalues.org.uk
It begins: “We are Jews who believe wholeheartedly in the right of Israel to exist and flourish and the right of Palestinians to self-determination in a state of their own. We refuse to give up on the vision of Israel and a Palestinian state one day existing side-by-side. This is the only long-term solution that will not involve untold bloodshed.”
The statement lists five core principles, based in Jewish teaching, to guide our responses to the grave challenges of the current moment and ensure that out of this horror comes a commitment to a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in mutual peace and security.

Community Briefing from the Board of Deputies, UJIA, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Community Security Trust, the IDF and other Jewish community organisations: Please click here for the 29/10/23 briefing. Please click here for the 15/10/23 briefing. They are very helpful to understanding the choices that we are making as a congregation.

Political Action: The organisation ‘We Believe in Israel’ is running a campaign to encourage people to ask their MP to be steadfast in their support of Israel at this time. The aim is to ensure that letters from people who understand the situation of Israel and her need for support are at least as numerous as the opposite. Please click here for a link to a template letter.