About Rabbi Schindler
If You Will It, It is No Dream
 In
1902, Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism wrote, “Im tirzu ain
zo agadah -- if you will it, it is no dream.” In 2007, I say the same.
If you will it: if you yearn to visit Israel for the first time or if
you yearn to get back to that country you love so deeply, now is the
time to make your dream become a reality. In June of 2008, I will be
leading a ten day congregational trip to Israel with congregants of all
ages. I hope you will consider joining us.
This past month, as we began our year long celebration of Israel’s
upcoming 60th birthday, eighty members of our Beth El family spent the
weekend at our congregational Wildacres retreat. As we rekindled the
sparks of our passion for Israel, we reflected on some modern slogans
meant to draw people there:
Israel—because size doesn’t matter.
Israel—Moses couldn’t make it but you can.
Israel—where hope is the National Anthem.
Israel—because you’ve already been to all the ordinary places.
Israel— from the Bible to CNN, everybody is talking about it, now it’s
time for you to come see it yourself.
Israel—a small piece of heaven on earth, see it, believe it.
We know that you do not need slogans to sell you on our homeland. Our
itinerary will entice you on its own: a
walking tour of the Old City culminating at the Western Wall, floating
in the Dead Sea, welcoming Shabbat with Rabbi Miri Gold on Kibbutz
Gezer, looking over the peaks of Masada, the Golan Heights or the hills
of Haifa, rafting down the River Jordan, connecting with Israelis in our
sister city of Hadera or in our sister congregation of Birkat Shalom.
There will be activities of interest for everyone of every age. We hope
to have an Israeli youth madricha for our teens, and when we are
adventurous, we’ll have more leisurely travel options for our seniors.
No matter how many years you have lived there, no matter how many times
you have visited, Israel renews your spirits and inspires your soul.
Temple Beth El is committed to running congregational trips every year.
Our upcoming Teen Trips will be in 2009 and 2011 and our Congregational
Trips are planned for 2008, 2010, 2012.
If not now, then when? If not this trip, then plan and save for the
next.
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A Rabbi's Reflections