On Sunday July 3rd, a group of 25 women from Toronto, led by Rebbetzin Gail Michalowicz, departed for Eretz Yisroel on the 2011 Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project. The Westmount group was joined by approximately 160 other women from various cities across North America. The program afforded all the women an amazing opportunity to discover and deepen their Jewish identity. This was enhanced by daily inspiring shiurim and lectures by world renowned speakers. Learning about the heritage and history of
Eretz Yisroel was brought to life by visiting many significant sites across the country, including Tsfat, Masada, Yad Vashem, the Dead Sea and of course Yerushalyim and the Kotel. As with all things Jewish, the food was delicious and the spirit, electrifying! The
trip was undoubtedly a tremendous success. Yasher Koach to our Rebbetzin for leading another remarkable women’s mission. We look forward to having these women share their energy with our Kehillah throughout the year.
A number of them were inspired enough to share their thoughts:
“Dear Friends…..Hope all is well with you all. I have just returned from my WOMEN”S MISSION to Israel. At the end of the trip we were asked to describe our experience in a single word I chose Enlightening – Inspiring !!!!!! This is the best way to have expressed the experience.
Quickly to sum up it was a wonderful experience to travel Israel with 180 other women all from different observance or our religion. Reflecting back on the past 9 days not only did I have an intensive course on Jewish history but also a journey of self-growth as a woman.
I am thrilled that I had chosen to go on this trip not knowing anyone for the outcome is that I have made new, everlasting wonderful relationships….!!!! (which I am making a personal commitment to maintain).”
“Although Toronto is my home, when I return from Israel , there is something missing. The Air in Israel breathes holiness and something so special. I love to walk the streets in Israel and hear only Hebrew. I love to look around and see Kippot everywhere. I love the fact that the majority of restaurants are Kosher. You can walk in the streets and the
malls, even in Tel Aviv, and eat from the vendors offering samples, because it is all Kosher.
This mission is the most organized, women focused tour that I can imagine. We climbed the heights of Masada, and toured the lows of the tunnels under the old city. We saw ancient ruins and modern technology. The history told by the tour guides was fascinating and we felt as if we were accompanied by the forefathers and mothers themselves, as we wandered the country. The meals that were arranged for us were healthy and delicious and served in the most wonderful locations; at Decks on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, in Abrahams tent in the middle of the Negev desert, in Gavna, Gush Etzion overlooking the countryside and Seudot Shlishit in the centre of Jerusalem, on the roof top at
the home of Pamela and Abba Clayman overlooking the Holy of Holies. The classes were given by amazing speakers and the information was delivered in a fun and informative way. Now if only I could be able to tell it all over. I guess I have to go back to hear it all again.“
“How do you describe something for which there are no sufficient words? I will try my best. My apologies if I do not succeed…. Imagine a trip to the Holy Land where your every need and want is catered to. Fantastic tours, knowledgeable, talented, first-class tour guides; and incredible restaurants where all you need to do is sit down and the delectable
food just keeps coming. From the minute you step on the plane, all thoughts of planning, organizing and coordinating become a distant memory.
Sound good? Well that’s not even the best part. This trip nourishes the soul. It is a spiritual infusion into our hectic lifestyles. Lori Palatnik and her team are masters at revealing what is truly important in life, and where our priorities should lie. They leave us with a new appreciation of Hashem’s love for us, and a love of Eretz Yisrael and her people. It was my honour and privilege to go on this trip with a group of fabulous women, and a look forward to nurturing the many wonderful experiences and friendships we all shared.”
“I found my first trip to Israel to be an incredible and inspiring experience.
From the first time I stepped out of the airport, to dancing at the Kotel on Shabbos, to dipping in the dead sea, to boiling on top of mount Masada, even shopping on Ben Yehuda street ‐ this trip was one of my best life experiences!! I can’t wait to take my family to Israel in the near future G‐d willing. I also am having a problem coming back to earth:”
