Volunteer in Solidarity For Israel with Via Sabra – June 2024

Activities:

• Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport - Transfers and VIP services can be arrange upon request (not included).

• 5:00PM Gather at the hotel to meet the group and your guide - Say Shehechiyanu to bless the beginning of your journey together in Israel and dedicate your intention to the trip.

• Israel Update opening speaker - A lecture about Israel's current events from a guest speaker.

• Dinner at a local restaurant. - At the beginning of the Israel-Hamas Swords of Iron War many restaurants voluntarily cooked and delivered food to soldiers and evacuees. We will eat at one of the local restaurants that distributed food during the war.

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Early breakfast at the hotel.

• Depart Tel Aviv and travel south.

• Agriculture volunteering - Join one of the local farmers and help by picking vegetables and other crops to help ensure Israeli food and nutrition security as well as supporting the local farmers that are dealing with a shortage of workers during this war.

• Stop at the Nova Festival Memorial site - T Re'im Forest stop and bear witness to the tragedy of the Nova Festival.

• Lunch break - (not included)

• Lookout and geo-political brief at the border with Gaza - Stop at key lookout points for an in-depth discussion of the complexity of the Gaza Border situation. (security depending)

• Shuva Achim Hospitality Tent - What started as a field hospital at the beginning of the war in Moshav Shuva, turned into an incredible refreshment spot for soldiers, where they give out clothes, goodies and hot meals to the soldiers serving the in the Gaza Envelope. The name "Shuva Achim" means in Hebrew return brothers (and sisters) - praying that all soldiers will return home peacefully. You will help with what is needed, meet soldiers for a casual talk and show your appreciation.

• Home hospitality and meal hosted by Osi Lankri - Recognized as one of Ofakim's "Culinary Queens," Osi invites you to savor a home-cooked meal in her beautiful home. While enjoying the culinary experience, listen to her personal stories about life in the Envelope, her birthplace and hometown. Gain insights into how the October 7th attack affected her home, family, and neighborhood.

• Travel back to Tel Aviv.

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Volunteer at Leket - Israel’s food bank - Learn about this important leading organization whose sole focus is rescuing healthy, surplus food and delivering it to those in need. Volunteers go into the fields to pick and gather fruits and vegetables that were not collected during the commercial harvest. You will volunteer at the Logistics Center to help sort and pack the collected produce in preparation for distribution to soup kitchens, food pantries, senior citizen centers, and homeless shelters.

• Wine Tasting at Vitkin Winery - A family boutique winery. It is considered to be one of the most fascinating in the Israeli wine industry being the pioneer in Mediterranean approach and expertise in producing original Israeli wines.

• Nature as Therapy - Go on a beautiful light nature walk and get introduced to mindfulness exercises. (weather depending).

• Meet Via Sabra's team member Segev Ben Shalom Mental Health Officer - Hear how the army cares for the mental health of soldiers during war time and afterwads. Ben Shalom has been serving in the reserves as a Mental Health Officer since the war has started. He will share his experience and have an opportunity for an open discussion.

• Meet 'Galileat' and speak with Druze soliders - Together with your hosts in their private home, enjoy a delicious authentic meal. Get to know your hosts and their culture and history. Hear about the strong bond between the Druze community to the State of Israel and their contribution to the IDF. Dinner is included.

• Travel back to Tel Aviv.

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Early breakfast and depart to Jerusalem hills.

• Agricultural volunteering at Kaima Organic Farm in Moshav Beit Zayit - Kaima is an educational farming network that uses the tool of employment and the magic of nature to engage and empower youth and young adults at risk. Using the farm as an outdoor classroom, Kaima’s mission is to help the individual turn his/her life around through a multi-layered process combining hands-on organic farming, leadership development, business learning, and community development. At Kaima Farm we'll meet one of the staff members and youth who will share how the youth are changing their lives through their work at the farm.

• Group lunch at a lovely local restaurant.

• Pay tribute to the fallen soldiers at Mount Herzl and visit the Hall of Remembrance - As Israel’s national cemetery, Mount Herzl is the final resting place of leaders of Zionism and Israel, including Yitzhak Rabin and Herzl himself, and of thousands of soldiers killed defending the State of Israel. At Mount Herzl you will find a moving monument to the 28,000-odd soldiers and civilians killed in combat or by terrorism since the founding of the state.

• Visit Susan’s House - A nonprofit organization that hire at-risk youth and teach them necessary life-skills through creative work. After October 7 they have hosted youth who were evacuated with their families from the north and south, giving them a safe and creative space with other teens from Jerusalem. This is a great place to purchase a souvenir to take back home.

• Continue to the Kotel (the Western Wall) and take time to reflect. - Feel the stones that have witnessed so much in the history of the Jews. Place your special and personal prayer in the cracks of the stones.

• Travel back to Tel Aviv

• Free evening and dinner on your own - (meal and transfers are not included).

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel & check-out.

• Volunteer with Eran's Angels, Soldiers Save Lives, or similar - According to the needs of the time we will announce what the volunteering will include.

• Visit The Square of the Kidnapped and Missing - See the powerful art created by various artists, including the Shabbat Table set for 200 missing Israelis, to show support and shine a spotlight on the importance of rescuing the lives of those abducted to Gaza. (Hopefully, by the time of this mission, all of the hostages will have been released and back home with their families.)

• Lunch break at Levinsky Market - The Levinsky Market specializes in spices and Mediterranean delicacies. It is, in many ways, the best market in Tel Aviv, known for its variety, freshness, and special atmosphere. (lunch on your own, meal not included).

• Graffiti Tour- art as a reflection - What stories do these images and words tell about the what has happened in Israel since October 7? What social issues are reflected in the art on the walls? What is unique about graffiti in Israel and Tel Aviv specifically? In this dynamic tour through Florentin, Tel Aviv's best-known neighborhood for graffiti, you will answer these questions, share your interpretations, and gain an appreciation for this expressive form of art.

• Wine, cheese and wrap up - An opportunity to share with your fellow group members your experience in Israel and what you are taking from this powerful visit.

• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and fly back home - VIP services are available upon request. Option to extend for more volunteering and/or visit family and friends.

• We look forward to hosting you during peaceful times-