This summer, Rabbi Naftali Besser, dean of students at the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School, led the first Flatbush alumni hesed mission to Israel. Everyone who joined the mission agreed it was a unique experience; even those who have been to Israel many times have never experienced the country in this way. We were all touched and moved by this phenomenal vacation.
Rabbi Besser has been running a hesed mission to Israel with YOF students during winter break for the past eight years. The idea of an alumni hesed mission came about casually at Rabbi Besser’s weekly ladies’ parashah class. With his immense passion for hesed, Rabbi Besser was ready to run with the idea. Of course, leaving our family and children at home, as well as missing work for a week was challenging. However, we realized, what better example could we set for our children, family, and friends than to take a special trip to Israel to help others? After many emails and phone calls we were 20 people committed to going: six couples including Rabbi Besser and his lovely wife Safreda, and eight college-age singles.
When we met to discuss the itinerary for our trip, Rabbi Besser was very concerned with leaving us enough free time to tour, relax and enjoy being away. We looked over his usual itinerary, packed from morning to night with visits to more than 25 organizations and institutions. By the end of the meeting, the vote was unanimous: we all wanted to start our days early and fill our short time in Israel with as much hesed as we could.
In just a few weeks we managed to raise enough money, clothes, toys and other gift items to distribute in Israel to make our trip a success. The single girls even managed to organize a bake sale on Memorial Weekend at the home of Jamie and Ricky Cohen, and gave all the proceeds to our hesed mission fund. Thank you to all of our generous donors without whom this trip could not have been possible.
On a Saturday night, we all rushed out of our homes soon after Shabbat was over to catch an 11:50 flight to Tel Aviv. We checked our luggage onto our flight, including the 22 duffle bags full of gifts we would distribute. As we walked through the airport the excitement was palpable.
When we landed in Israel, we boarded our bus and went straight to the Kotel. We arrived just in time for minha and watched a magnificent sunset that set the stage for a very spiritual, uplifting and life changing experience. We continued on to the beautiful Inbal Jerusalem Hotel and rested up for our mission.
Our first stop was the Nesach Yisrael Institution, a school for poor, learning disabled children run by Rabbi Victor Harari. In honor of our visit, rides were set up in the yard for the children. We gave out toys, candy and ices, and enjoyed an hour of music and fun together. We continued on to the Hazon Yeshaya Soup Kitchen, which provides life saving meals to thousands of Israel’s neediest families. We peeled and chopped potatoes, carrots and onions and served hot meals to the lines of people there. It was interesting to meet other groups at the kitchen from around the world who were also there lending a helping hand.
Next, we visited a very special school, called Tishma, whose goal is to mainstream children diagnosed with autism and other related disabilities into regular schools. We were invited into the classrooms and distributed toys to the children. The love and patience of the directors, teachers and volunteers there, and their commitment to helping the children, was truly inspiring.
Our last stop before dinner was Shalva, an amazing organization that provides after-school care for developmentally disabled children in a loving environment. We were honored to get a personal tour of this unique building by the founder of Shalval. A highlight for us was a private performance by the Shalva orchestra that left us all crying and cheering.
We ended our day on an army base in Beitar. As part of Project Standing Together, we brought barbecue, candy and gifts to the Israeli soldiers manning roadblocks and checkpoints. Most importantly, we left the soldiers with the message that Jews in America care about them; Rabbi Besser read out loud the special prayer we say every day for Israel’s soldiers and we all sang the Hatikva together. It was a beautiful ending to an amazing day.
Our second day began with a visit to the Emunah Ethiopian Day Care Center. We spent the morning singing, playing and dancing with the most adorable Ethiopian children. Next, we had the opportunity to distribute gifts to the young patients at Schneider’s Hospital, Israel’s largest hospital for children. Conveniently located near the hospital is Ezer Mizion’s Oranit Center, a home away from home for young cancer patients and their families. We toured the center and learned about their bone marrow registry. After watching a video of people who had successful, life saving bone marrow matches, we cried our eyes out and were ready to register on the spot.
Our next Bikur Holim visit was like no other. We visited with wounded soldiers at Tel Hashomer Hospital. One by one, we heard soldiers tell the stories of how they were injured fighting for Israel and the extraordinary steps that were taken to save their lives. We were left speechless, but felt the need to express our appreciation for all that they do to protect our nation and recited the prayer for their protection.
Next, at Israel’s Blind Museum, we learned what it was like to navigate through life without the blessing of sight. After being in complete darkness for over an hour we felt extremely blessed.
The following morning we visited Aleh, a place where severely disabled Jewish children receive top-quality medical, educational and rehabilitative care. First we interacted with the children in their classrooms and then we all got together to dance, play with instruments and have a good time. Although it was by far the most challenging and heart-wrenching visit for us, it was extremely rewarding.
From Aleh, we walked to Lottie’s Kitchen where Linda Dayan, daughter of Lottie A”H, told us about how she and her family established the kitchen which prepares hundreds of meals, sandwiches and snacks for families of sick and hospitalized patients. We got to help in the kitchen. We then headed to another army base, to deliver a special care package to the Israeli soldiers there. Again, it was important to let them know that in America we are constantly thinking of them. We didn’t expect to break out into rikudim and singing with a room full of soldiers, but we did! It was incredible!
Our final stop of the day was Beit Elezraki, a home that provides a loving environment, education and future for about 200 children who have been removed from the custody of their parents. We ate a delicious dinner with the children and danced the night away!
By the last day of our trip, our hearts were overflowing with compassion and gratitude to Hashem. It was only appropriate to begin our morning with intense prayer at the Kotel. We were then invited to the magnificent home of Abba and Pamela Clayman in the Old City of Jerusalem. Mrs. Clayman explained the significance of Todah L’tzahal, the organization she and her husband founded. We then went to visit Kever Rachel and Meaarat Hamachpelah in Hebron where we said tehillim and prayed minha.
Afterwards it was time for us to go home. On the bus ride to the airport, we all reflected on the four days we had just spent in Israel. Our days were full of laughter and tears and inspiration, as well as friendship and love. The feeling of togetherness among the participants was extraordinary and the quality time spent with our spouses was extra special. Each and every day made us more aware of Hashem’s kindnesses and reminded us to be thankful for all that we have. We all felt a greater appreciation of Eretz Yisrael.
As the leader of our group, Rabbi Besser exemplified the true spirit and value of hesed. We were amazed by how he lives to give, and we feel honored to have him as a role model for our children. In addition, getting to meet the creators and directors of the many facilities we visited helped us to understand not only what the organizations do, but also to realize the true greatness of the people who helped create these institutions. We were all inspired to give more to the world in any way we can, and to believe that we, too, can make a difference.
We feel so privileged to have been a part of the first Yeshivah of Flatbush Alumni Hesed Mission to Israel and hope to inspire others to join our mission next year! There is no better experience or vacation!
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Amy Sasson is a community member.
