candace

Arrived at Ben Gurion Airport and connected with some of the group. Everyone was elated to learn that two hostages had been rescued overnight.  I texted my husband and kids to say I'd arrived safely. My youngest wrote back: "oh good...you're home".
The airport was uncharacteristically quiet- tourism is way down- but traffic on the way to the hotel was heavy...some things haven't changed.

After a short rest, we met in the hotel for a wonderful dinner. After that, we had a brief session led by Rabbi Mauricio Balto (Executive Director of Mercaz Olami and Masorti Olami) and Dr  Yitzar Hess (Vice Chairman of WZO).

In their remarks, both made clear that the Israel we were visiting now was far different than the one we'd seen before. They talked about the new threat of anti-Semitism from within Israel and referred to life in Israel now as a long shiva.

The light mood we'd been enjoying became heavy and dark. While we'd all heard and read much about the existential crisis Israel finds itself in post 10/7, hearing it from those who experienced it, in Israel, packed an emotional wallop. 

More to come tomorrow.