My daughter Jenny and her husband Simcha both have today off for Purim and, as is common in Israel, are going out for a little road trip.  “We’re going to the ‘Darom Adom’ (‘Red South’)”, she enthusiastically told me, referring to the area in the northern Negev currently bright red with the blossoming anemone flowers.  

It turns out that they are going to Eshkol, our partnership region in the heart of the Red South.  

Simcha started to list possible outdoor and socially-distanced activities which interested him in the area.  Jenny had of course been to every site listed during her Federation’s teen mission in 2014, and was excited to visit them with her new husband.  

Our community now boasts having scores of teenagers (or former teenagers) who have seen the beautiful Darom Adom, which even most Israelis have not seen.  If you have a child or grandchild who participated in one of our trips, ask them about it.

Maybe I’ve whet your appetite to visit Israel?  Traveling is not yet safe, and borders are still closed, but JFNA has just announced that plans are underway for the next General Assembly (GA) in Israel on April 24-26, 2023.  The assembly will include commemorating Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and celebrating Yom HaAtzma’ut (Independence Day).  Our Federation will build a trip around the GA to include time in Jerusalem and, of course, time in Eshkol.  Save the dates.  

To receive this weekly email message from our President and CEO, Rob Kovach, please join our email list!