By Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, WLCJ Executive Director
Rabbi’s Reflections: M’givul HaLevanon – From the border of Lebanon
I have been blessed to have been able to visit Israel many times in my lifetime. After returning from Israel this past Friday, having attended the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP) 50th Mission to Israel, I feel that this was my most powerful trip to Israel. I have been trying to reflect why that is; and have even started this Shabbat Message many times. As I reflect on my recent trip to Israel, I keep coming back to this one moment – standing in Kibbutz Misgav Am, which is located in the Upper Galilee in Northern Israel, close to the border with Lebanon, facing the Lebanese town of Odaisseh. We were standing at the border of Lebanon, as a result of the 60-day ceasefire that went into effect in November 2024, and we were right at the cusp of those 60 days. It was an unreal feeling to be there.
Participants in the COP mission are often tasked with the honor to introduce speakers, a session, or present a gift to the speakers. I was tasked with introducing the session at Kibbutz Misgav Am, which was a briefing from the IDF. I was not given much information to use as an introduction; usually we have the bios of the speakers. I was given our presenter’s name, a short time before we gathered at a stone lookout point at Kibbutz Misgav Am, but it was not guaranteed that would be the actual person to present to the Mission. I decided to introduce this session with the Prayer for the IDF. It was an incredible moment to realize that we were praying for the safety and security of the members of the Israel Defense Forces, reciting these words, standing at the exact location – M’givul HaLevanon, from the border of Lebanon. I literally stopped my prayer – and remarked to the group – “We are here.” I was facing the Mission participants as I recited the prayer, and they all faced Lebanon, literally just on the other side of the road.
Most of the residents of Kibbutz Misgav Am have not been able to return to their homes, despite the ceasefire, and the financial support they are receiving from the Israeli government will end on March 1. As we left the Kibbutz, a drone flew overhead, and a few of us wondered whose drone it was. Our brothers and sisters who live in Israel are truly the bravest, most resilient people. Am Yisrael Chai! The People of Israel Live!
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
ewolintz-fields@wlcj.org
