Rabbi’s Blog: Don't Miss the Mission!
02/14/2024 05:59:31 PM
Dear OZ family,
President’s Week is turning out to be a busy time for missions to Israel. The hotels are all overbooked with, can I call us missionaries?, and Israelis from the North and the South, and we are all going to be helpful where we can. Our itinerary is full to the brim with activities that show how we are all one family. We are picking fruit, we are packing meals, we are visiting the wounded, we are delivering much-needed funds, and comforting the downtrodden. We are doing everything the prophets of Tanach rebuked us 2,700 years ago for not doing. There is no precedence for so many people entering a war zone to help people we never met. The reason is because even though we never met, we’re family.
I thank all those who gave so generously so that we can share our bounty with those who have lost so much in Israel these last few months. You can still donate to this cause through our chesed fund with a designation for Israel (www.ozny.org/sponsor) . I will report daily from Israel beginning on Friday. I will be speaking at the Tzvi Yisrael shul (known as Chovevei Tzion) on Shabbos and we’re having an OZ reunion at the Kings Hotel on Monday night at 7pm. Tell your friends.
May we be successful in all our endeavors and in case Moshiach doesn’t come while we’re there, may we all return safely.
Stay safe and healthy
Rabbi Allen Schwartz
Rabbi Allen Schwartz
Congregation Ohab Zedek
118 West 95th Street
New York, NY 10025-6604
Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200
E-mail ras@ozny.org
Website: www.ozny.org
- Attached below is the updated itinerary:
SHABBAT, Feb. 16-17
- Participants who will be around Jerusalem are welcome to join Rabbi Allen Schwartz throughout Shabbat, including Dinner and Lunch with OZ Alumni
- Rabbi Schwartz will be the Scholar in Residence at the Chovevei Tzion Synagogue (about a 10 minute walk from the Prima Kings Hotel)
- Saturday Night Dinner - on own
DAY 1 - Sunday, Feb 18
- Davening
- Breakfast at your hotel and lodging
- 8:30am - Bus Departs from Prima Kings Hotel
- 10:30am - Visit to Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva
- Lunch and visit to Sederot Yeshiva
- Visit in Sederot & Area
- Return to Jerusalem
- Dinner on own
DAY 2 - Monday, Feb, 19
- Davening
- Breakfast at your hotel and lodging
- 8:30am - Bus Departs from Prima Kings Hotel
- 9:30am - Volunteer at Leket - Gan Haim
- 11:30am - Visit to Ichilov Hospital
- 1:00pm - Lunch at Biga Cafe Tel Aviv
- 2:00pm - Visit to Hostage Square
- 5:00pm - Volunteer at Pantry Packers for Soldiers
- 7:00pm - Supper & Siyum for Mission Members & OZ Alumni at Kings Hotel
DAY 3 - Tuesday, Feb. 20
- Davening
- Breakfast at your hotel and lodging
- 8:30am - Bus Departs from Prima Kings Hotel
- 10:00am - Visit to Gaza Envelope (Exact Location TBD)
- 12:30pm - Boxed Lunch
- 1:30pm - Visit to Tkuma / Otef
- 3:00pm - Visit to Re'im / Nova
- 4:30pm - BBQ on Base with Soldiers
- 10:00pm - Estimated return time to Jerusalem
DAY 4 - Tuesday, Feb. 20
- Davening
- Breakfast at your hotel and lodging / Check out
- 8:30am - Bus Departs from Prima Kings Hotel
- 8:45am - Visit to Kotel
- 10:00am - Visit to United Hatzalah Headquarters / E-Bike Dedication
- 1:00pm - Lunch
- 2:00pm - Volunteer at the Soldier Hamal
- 4:30pm - Program and Dinner at Bet Elazraki
- 8:00pm - Depart for Airport
- Bus will return to Jerusalem for those who need
