700 S. Floridians Take Part In Mega-Mission To Israel
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - More than 700 South Floridians are in Israel for a mega mission.
On Sunday another group left; they will be in Israel for nine days.
"Going to Israel is a phenomenal experience," said Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei as he prepared to board the flight. "Too often we hear in the news about things that are going on in Israel, the difficulties in Israel and people fail to recognize that there is an unbelievably thriving society there."
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has been planning the trip for two years. It is the largest such mission for local Jews back to their homeland in 17 years.
"I'm very excited," beamed Renee Rotta as she prepared for her first trip to Israel. "I think it's very important to reach out and help our Jewish brothers and sisters and to help people in general. Also to see the contributions that Miami is making as a community.
The emotional journey begins on the heels of Holocaust Remembrance Week. The group will be in Israel for two of the most important Israeli holidays: Memorial Day and Independence Day.
"Unlike here, unfortunately in Israel, Memorial Day is not about sales and going to the mall," said Jacob Solomon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. "It's really about commemorating the fact that there have been 20 to 25 thousand people who've died in various wars that Israel has had to fight and also the loss because of terror attacks."
For David Tannen and his wife the homecoming is expected to be an unforgettable trip that could bring perspective to their lives back at home.
"I think everything that we do as a component will be a very important part of the whole," said Tannen. "It's kinda like a puzzle and it makes the most sense when all of its pieces are together and I think the itinerary on the trip is a whole bunch of pieces to a larger more important puzzle."
