This is Sh’ma Koleinu – The Online Journal for the Valley Beth Shalom Clergy. You will “Hear Our Voices” on a variety of subjects that interest us, from our thoughts on the weekly Torah portion to a record of our trips to Israel. Join us in the conversation on issues that have been inspiring us and the Jewish people for thousands of years.
(This article first appeared in VBS Koleinu December 2009)
A sad truth:It has been 25 years since Valley Beth Shalom has traveled with families and first time visitors to Israel.25 years!On December 20th, 15 people from our community – families and individuals – will become the Halutzim (pioneers) and renew our commitment to the people and the land of Israel when we board El Al Flight #6 for a 10 day visit.These 10 days are more than just a vacation.For us, this journey is a pilgrimage.
On our pilgrimage, we will stand in places where our patriarchs and matriarchs encountered God and listen for the echo of God’s eternal promise to them and their children.We will laugh in the cafes, haggle in the market places, hold on for dear life in the taxi cabs, and meditate in the desert.We will bask in the glow of Jerusalem stone and luxuriate in the warm waters of the Dead Sea.We will toil up mountains where Jews once stood to defend their religious freedoms.We will shed tears for the fallen who protected our brothers and sisters so that we may call this land home.Our pilgrimage is more than just a destination; our pilgrimage is a discovery of our heritage.It’s a pilgrimage of history, of faith, of peoplehood, and of hope.
There is something about walking the streets and seeing people alive and thriving, or driving through the country and witnessing breathtaking vistas, or smelling the fresh baked challah in the market place early on Friday morning for Shabbat.That something is why you cannot take a pilgrimage to Israel by travelling down Ventura Blvd. no matter how Israeli it may seem to be.Our quest is to confirm Israel is alive and thriving – Am Yisrael Chai – in the land of our heritage. For these reasons we should be travelling to Israel as a community every year.
A lot of great things have happened in Israel in 25 years. Follow our journey as we discover them all.We’ll be sending ongoing updates of our journey.Twitter, Facebook, and a daily blog (Web journal) are the tools we’ll use to share pictures, anecdotes, musings, and blessings from Eretz Kodsheinu – Our Holy Land.
But most importantly, look for the next trip to come.Israel and the Jewish people are waiting for you to return home.
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