As I sit down to write this, it feels almost surreal to think that by the time you read it, we will have just landed in Israel, preparing to welcome Shabbat in a place that holds so much meaning for all of us. Along with our Assistant Head of School, Ricky Stamler-Goldberg, and our spouses, Joan and Stan, I’ve joined a Ramah Mission led by our very own Rabbi Ami Hersh. Together, we’ve traveled to Israel to volunteer during this continued time of war. This journey feels deeply personal and profoundly communal—an extension of everything we believe in and live by as part of this extraordinary Schechter Bergen Kehillah.

For our Kehillah, Israel isn’t just a distant place on a map. It’s home, even if we don’t live there full-time. It’s where our story as a people began, where it continues, and where it will always be written. It is the heart and soul of the Jewish people. As a community, we talk so often about Ahavat Yisrael—a love for Israel—a value expressed through our commitment to Tzionut (Zionism). We also regularly speak of our collective responsibility for one another, kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh. With these values at the core of who we are, once again, Ricky and I felt compelled to act, to transform words into deeds in a way that is real and tangible and for our students to see.

Last year, when the war broke out, our school welcomed over 60 Israeli students. I will never forget the expressions on their parents’ faces when they realized their children had a safe and nurturing place to learn for as long as they needed. It was a moment of profound pride for our community and a reminder that we’re part of something so much greater. Hosting those families was the least we could do, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough. For we are not bystanders to the story of our people—we are participants.

So, soon after the war broke out,  Joan and I went to Israel to volunteer and Ricky and Stan did the same at a later time. This year, as the crisis continues—both through war and the internal political challenges— we felt that we must go again. Our Israeli brothers and sisters are exhausted and, at times, feel isolated. We have an obligation to remind them they are not alone through our presence, standing side by side with them.

Volunteering during this time is not like any other trip to Israel. It can mean stepping out of our comfort zones. It means showing up in ways that may feel small but are deeply meaningful: packing supplies, comforting displaced families, or simply being present to say, “We are here. We’re with you.”

As I reflect on what this experience means for our students and families, I hope it serves as a powerful message. What does it say when their teachers and school leaders choose to go? I hope it says that words matter, but actions matter even more. At Schechter, we talk a lot about leadership and values, and this is an opportunity to demonstrate what those values look like in action. Our students need to see that love for Israel isn’t just an idea discussed in class; it’s a living, breathing commitment.

I do not know exactly whose lives we will touch or how, but I do know that every small act adds up. Whether it’s lifting someone’s spirits, helping a family rebuild in some small way, or simply standing in solidarity, it all matters. We’ve heard it directly from Israelis during past visits: our presence makes a difference. And in those moments, we don’t just strengthen the people we’re helping; we strengthen all of Am Yisrael in these small acts of unity.

This mission isn’t just about this war or this moment. While Israel needs us more than ever right now, our connection doesn’t begin or end with a crisis. It is an ongoing relationship, one we nurture with our prayers, our support, and our presence.

As we prepare for Shabbat in Israel, I hear our children signing these words from Hatikvah, which we sing every morning at Misdar Boker: “Od lo avda tikvateinu”—our hope is not lost. For 2,000 years, we’ve dreamed of being a free people in our land. That dream is alive, and it’s up to us to keep it strong. By going to Israel now, we’re affirming that hope, not just for ourselves but for our children and grandchildren. We’re showing that the values we teach—love, unity, responsibility—aren’t just lessons; they’re principles that guide our lives and inspire us to act.

Thank you for being the kind of community that makes this possible. Thank you for believing in Israel and in each other. Together, we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves. May our efforts bring strength to Israel, pride to our school, and blessings to the Jewish people everywhere.