Night 6: Israel

December 2020

This Hanukkah we are taking a moment to shine a light on the resilience of our community throughout this past year. Tonight, we light the 6th candle of the menorah and  read how our community brought light and hope to those in Israel and overseas, and promoted Israel education. 

The JWRP, now called Momentum, trips to Israel for men and women have provided inspirational experiences for people from across the San Antonio Jewish Community. The trips encourage participants to connect to the land and faith of Israel, but also to one another with the hope of bringing light, leadership and love to their families and community. Rabbi Avraham and Michal Scheinberg continue to spread light to the JWRP family on the ground in San Antonio throughout the year, offering education, support and companionship at every turn, opening their home and their hearts to build community and connection to Israel.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio in partnership with San Antonio Hillel, launched a two-week Israel Leadership Institute this past July. This program helped rising college freshmen form honest answers to the tough questions about Israel they may face during their four years at college. The Institute addressed topics ranging from the history of Israel to understanding what BDS is.  Each participant received an “Israel in a box,” including interactive materials for the program, an Israeli cookbook, and a special cohort t-shirt. The program equipped students with a more rounded understanding of what it means to be Jewish and have a relationship with Israel. 

Through the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign, the San Antonio community supports important work and services in Israel and around the world, through partnerships with the Joint Distribution Committee, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and others. The Federation also supports San Antonio’s Partnership2Gether Western Galilee Consortium between the region, Budapest, and other U.S. cities. 

Temple Beth-El creates many opportunities for connecting to the people and the land of Israel. Their trips to Israel and Jewish Europe create connections to and a greater understanding of the larger Jewish world. Visits from Israeli scholars like Uri Feinberg, activists like Anat Hoffman and musicians like Mattan Klein helped to create personal, long lasting relationships with the landand its people.