Our Trip to the Western Galilee
Editors Note: This article was published in the Spring 2026 Issue of the Jewish Journal.
Last week, Karen and I had the privilege of visiting the Western Galilee as part of a partnership between several U.S. Jewish communities, including our own in San Antonio. Our delegation of five included Lisa Epstein, Hank Lippsit, Orit Eylon, Karen, and me.
We traveled to Nahariya, Akko, and small communities near the Lebanese border—places filled with beauty, resilience, and hope. One of the most powerful stops was the Galilee Medical Center, a 750-bed trauma hospital just kilometers from the border. It serves more than 650,000 people and is the only hospital in Israel equipped to operate fully underground during times of conflict. In October 2023, its underground facility was activated, and critical departments were relocated below ground. The hospital also treated over 3,000 Syrian patients during the war—a profound testament to Israel’s compassion.
The San Antonio community has made a meaningful impact there. A plaque honoring our support is proudly displayed in the hospital’s emergency room.
We met evacuees returning home after months of displacement. We painted a bomb shelter near a children’s school in Moshav Liman and felt the lingering anxiety—especially among elders and children. Yet, the people of the north remain steadfast in their commitment to the Zionist dream: that every inch of Israel be lived in and loved.
I had the honor of giving two lectures at the Galilee Medical Center to the departments of pathology and urology. I spent several days working alongside my colleagues—pathologists who, together with Arab and Jewish physicians, care for patients of all ethnicities. This is the Israel hidden from the headlines—diverse, united, and deeply humane.
We visited a Druze village, met soldiers and officers, and heard the sheikh speak with heartfelt gratitude for Israel’s protection. We spoke with high school students in Akko—bright, curious, and full of dreams—and visited the home of a religious soldier who died defending Israel in the south.
There were many unforgettable moments, but four stand out:
- Sitting with a grieving mother in Akko, whose son—an IDF officer—died a hero. She spoke with both sorrow and pride.
- Working side by side with my medical colleagues—an experience I will always carry with me.
- Seeing bus and train stations covered with stickers bearing the faces and names of fallen soldiers.
- Attending a concert of the Israel Philharmonic in Nahariya, conducted by Lahav Shani. When we all stood to sing Hatikvah, the emotion in the room was overwhelming.
We didn’t visit Jerusalem, but we felt the heartbeat of Eretz Israel in the north. The Zionist spirit—of building and cherishing every corner of the land—is alive there. Yes, the country is scarred, but it stands strong, full of dreams. And it needs our support.
During our visit to the Western Galilee, we felt that same spirit of hospitality. We entered communities under stress and trauma, and they opened their homes and hearts to us. Despite their difficulties, their warmth, smiles, and generosity were boundless.
The people of the north send their heartfelt gratitude to each of you in San Antonio. They hope we continue visiting, supporting, and staying connected. To my colleagues and others in the health community, they welcome you to come, volunteer, and help. The opportunities are real—and I am sure you will grow from the experience.
Our delegation represented San Antonio beautifully, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to our hosts in Israel. May the ties between the Western Galilee and our community grow stronger.
Dr. Jaime Furman