Dear Friends,

Today, Federation joined with other local Jewish community leaders and our friends in Sha’ar HaNegev to publish multiple op-eds in the Union Tribune to help people better understand the history of Israel and realities of life there today, on the ground. In the face of antisemitism and distortions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we work to share the Israel we know in all its beauty, complexities, nuance, and resilience. I had the privilege of co-authoring one of the pieces with Sha’ar Hanegev Mayor Ofir Libstein that discusses the exciting, visionary work in their community:

…the government of Sha’ar HaNegev has embarked on a highly ambitious project called the Arazim Industrial Zone. It will create Israel’s first cross-border employment, training and medical center directly on the Gaza border. When complete, it will provide good jobs for up to 10,000 Gazans. Top universities from around the world will offer educational programs for Gaza citizens, and Gazans will have access to high-quality health care services they are otherwise cut off from.

You can read all three of the recent op-eds here. Federation’s CommUNITY Trip to Israel, May 4-11, 2023, will offer the incredible opportunity to get a first-hand look of this and other aspects of Israel—beyond the headlines. Real people. Real projects. Real life. The trip electives enable you to customize your Israel experience to suit your interests. To learn more about the trip, join us at an upcoming virtual info session.