Mission accomplished

FROM the Golan Heights in the north to the Dead Sea in the south, Tel Aviv in the west and Jerusalem in the east, it was a jam-packed two weeks in Israel for the United Israel Appeal’s (UIA) Key Workers Mission.

A group of 22 people from Melbourne and Perth embarked on the trip, which included a visit to a UIA absorption centre, a weekend stay in the Arava, meeting young soldiers and hearing from diverse guest speakers.

“Overall, everyone had the time of their lives,” UIA tour leader Estelle Wytwornik said. “The tour exceeded all expectations with the places we visited, the Arava, with host families, our guest speakers, entertainment.”

Hesitant to name any one event as the mission highlight, Wytwornik instead made mention of the day that most affected participants.

“By far the most emotional day was our time in the absorption centre in Tzfat, so much so that each child that attended wants to raise money via their school to support this UIA project,” she said. “What better achievement could one ask for?”

The UIA participants met the new immigrants, many of who were Ethiopian and who had arrived in Israel just days before the visit. Classes were attended, food and tea shared, and each adult was given a miniature flowerpot made by residents.

“The emotion felt by us all on the day was overwhelming, so much so that one of our teenage participants, who had been on a year program, was so moved he went out to his suitcase and emptied three-quarters of it to give to those that needed clothing,” she said.

Experiencing Israel from top to bottom, the contingent climbed Mount Bental in the north, while also spending time enjoying the wonders in the country’s south, including Masada and a moshav in the Arava where UIA has a relationship through its Partnership 2000 initiative. They were also treated to a range of guest speakers, guides and local experts, touring a high-tech village near Tel Aviv, visiting Ben-Gurion University and meeting with incoming Melbourne shaliach David Metzler.

All the usual sites in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem were also marked off the list. A visit to the Kotel and its tunnels was made all the more significant when two of the younger participants, who had recently celebrated their bat mitzvahs, were singled out and presented with certificates.

To find out more about UIA missions to Israel, call (03) 9272 5533.
DALIA SABLE