Resilience, Hope, and Unity: A Mission of Healing and Support in Israel

Resilience, Hope, and Unity: A Mission of Healing and Support in Israel

A Mission of Healing and Support in Israel
Jack Silverstein, Executive Director JNF Ottawa & Atlantic

In February 2025, our transformative journey (all 6 of us) with JNF-USA took us into the heart of Israel, witnessing the extraordinary spirit of a nation navigating unprecedented challenges. Over four remarkable days with JNF-USA, we experienced a profound narrative of strength, community, and unwavering hope that challenged our understanding and touched our hearts deeply. We finished the mission with a JNF-Canada specific weekend, focusing on JNF-Canada projects in the North.

Our mission immersed us in the complex reality of modern Israel, revealing layers of resilience and determination that transcend recent tragedies. In Tel Aviv, we witnessed the vibrant energy of a city refusing to be diminished by recent challenges (including a bus bombing). The beaches bustled with life – windsurfers, beach volleyball, a powerful reminder of the country's ability to find joy and normalcy even in difficult times. The agricultural landscape told another story, with farms struggling to find workers after the events of October 7th, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the nation.

Community service became the heart of our mission. In Moshav Ohad, we rolled up our sleeves, painting buildings, constructing benches, and creating a fire pit for future community gatherings. Each action became a symbol of rebuilding and hope. At the Nova Festival site, we were confronted with the raw emotional reality of October 7th, listening to survivors like Tomer, who returned to military service just two days after escaping terrorist attacks, only to later lose his brother in Gaza. Our mission revealed Israel's remarkable capacity for innovation and forward-thinking. At the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation, we explored groundbreaking technologies that have changed the world – from ICQ to Waze, from USB drives to healthcare solutions. This was not just a showcase of technological prowess, but a powerful demonstration of Israel's commitment to progress and problem-solving.

The most profound moments came from unexpected encounters. We met Osi, a resident of Ofakim, whose mother fled Morocco at 14, now running a catering business that focuses solely on joyous occasions. We visited Saroka Hospital, witnessing the medical staff's incredible dedication in the face of unimaginable challenges. At Kiryat Shmona, a community entirely displaced (only scheduled to return in March), we saw something extraordinary: over 200 new families applying to join, dreaming of rebuilding and creating something even better than before. Our Canadian pride beamed through as we were one of the first people to be inside a new fortified classroom – something that our Annual Campaigns are supporting.