Straight from Israel

I Kings 10:1-10

The Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame… and she came to test him with hard questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels bearing spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she asked him all that she had in mind. Solomon had answers for all her questions; there was nothing that the king did not know…. She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own land about you and your wisdom was true. But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes that not even the half had been told me; your wisdom and wealth surpass the reports that I heard.

Just as the Queen of Sheba was rendered breathless by the brilliance and excellence of King Solomon, so too were the 15 attendees of the Jewish National Fund-USA Women for Israel Queen of Sheba trip this February, who traveled from Southern Israel to Jerusalem. Now with their firsthand experience of the outstanding work that JNF-USA does for the people and land of Israel, these women had much to say upon their return.

We interviewed three attendees to find out what wowed them, what made them laugh, and what made them cry. When asked, “Was there something that touched your heart and made you cry?” They all responded, “Our visit with Special in Uniform.” Ruth Raisfeld expressed, “Yes, and it will make me cry again.”  Holding back the tears, Ruth recounted how grateful she was for the privilege of having two perfectly healthy grandchildren born during Covid and extolled the gift Jewish National Fund-USA and the State of Israel have made by giving young men and women with special needs the opportunity to serve in the military (IDF). The group was delighted to meet and hear the Special in Uniform Band, which is made up of special needs individuals who are singers, keyboardists, drummers, guitarists, and bassists. Band members enjoy entertaining the other soldiers and take pride in their accomplishments. The Queen of Sheba women also felt privileged to meet a band member’s mother who expressed her gratitude to Jewish National Fund-USA for significantly changing the life of her child and her entire family. To change the life of a child with special needs, please support Special in Uniform.

Barbara Burry, Mission Chair, President Women for Israel National Executive Board, Denver, Colorado

Question: What opened your heart in a new way?

Barbara: We started out as strangers from around the country, differing in ages from 44 -80.  Three had never been to Israel, and seven had no prior connection to Jewish National Fund-USA. Now there’s a bond between us and the land of Israel that continues and will continue by sharing all we experienced on this trip. It was a real eye-opener. The highlight was meeting with Israeli women and hearing their stories firsthand: mothers living in Sderot in the Gaza Envelope, women from Ukraine and Russia at the Lauder Employment Center and Makom Communities, who told us how they got to Israel and how they are assimilating. We had a Shabbat dinner with lone soldiers who told us their stories. Another highlight for me was dancing with soldiers at the Western Wall. At Nefesh B’Nefesh, the JNF- USA affiliate that helps with the Aliyah process, Dorit Friedman [Nefesh B’Nefesh’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Development] asked a female lone soldier, who now works there, to speak about her experiences as a sniper. Amazingly, a JNF-USA professional on the trip was this young woman’s camp counselor years ago!  Hearing these stories, we all felt a stronger connection to Israel.

Especially in these times, we have to be ambassadors, not just for Jewish National Fund-USA, but for Israel. We can share our first-hand experiences to help counter all of the antisemitism going on and the negative PR about Israel. You can’t do that if you’re not there.

Ruth Raisfeld, Scarsdale, NY

Question: What was the thing that made you the proudest of the work JNF-USA is doing?

Ruth: The Arava [a very dry area south of the Dead Sea, on the border between Israel to the west and Jordan to the east]. We happened to be there on the day of the Arava Exhibition Agricultural Trade Show, and AICAT (ARAVA International Center For Agricultural Training) was hosting the most diverse group of students, visitors, and participants from all over the world, who that day had made panoramas of the projects that they were going to bring back to their countries.  There were miles and miles of agricultural innovation in the middle of nowhere. They grow the most extraordinary strawberries and the most magnificent tomatoes. How much of the world is covered in the desert? How many people are starving?  You need to come over and see what diversity really is and see what they are doing! With JNF-USA’s support and the international reach of AICAT, we’re teaching those in Africa and Asia to grow food…even in the desert.

Beverly Kahn, Swampscott, MA

Question: The story of the Queen of Sheba highlights an appreciation for excellence and detail. How would you say that JNF-USA and this trip exemplify that?

Beverly:  I’ve traveled all over the world. This is right at the top of all the trips I’ve taken. We saw the guts of Israel, not where tourists are ever taken. And going with women was a wonderful experience!  I knew very little about Jewish National Fund-USA when I got the Queen of Sheba brochure. Pictured on the cover were three women in their late 30s and early 40s. My own children are older than that! The women in our group all got along and were so kind to each other. It was a wonderfully planned trip. I would give them an A+ for the schedule they put together. They took us to places I would not have known about otherwise. Not one meeting was a waste of my time. The guide was excellent, the hotels were elegant, and the meals we had together were lovely.  I can’t say that there was one thing that wasn’t great. I’d love to go back! I’ve told all the women to come to Boston. I’d love to see them.

After five long years, the Jewish National Fund-USA Women for Israel Queen of Sheba Tour resumed its quest for meaningful connections, unique experiences, and excellence that even the Queen herself would approve of! The tour fulfilled its promise to provide a “memorable” experience where women would “Embark as Friends. Leave as Sisters.”

Ruth’s advice to those considering going on a Women for Israel Queen of Sheba tour, “It’s a privilege and a commandment to help Israel,” “seize the day!”, “don’t wait, run, don’t walk… Go!”

Learn more about upcoming JNF Missions to Israel

Written by Jackie Goldstein, Chair of Women for Israel, Atlanta, and Penelope Bustin, Chair of Women for Israel, Greater Washington DC area