July 31, 2006

"Moments of Tranquility" | An Escape from Terror

Over a million people in Israel are now spending part of their day in underground bomb shelters. We at ARZA World have decided to provide "Moments of Tranquility", out of harm's way, to the residents of Northern Israel.

Many habitants of the region have relocated to the homes of relatives further to the south and are now not in danger. However there are many Israelis who either do not have relatives in Israel or lack the financial ability to relocate; many of these are new immigrants.

In the spirit of "Tikkun Olam" ARZA World has created the "Moments of Tranquility" program designed to provide hundreds of residents with an escape from the terror that is rained upon them daily.

Earlier today residents from Kiryat Atta, Kiryat Shmona, and Ma’alot as well as other Northern communities arrived in Jerusalem for a four day fully paid vacation far from harm’s way; the vacation includes accommodations, meals and guided tours of Jerusalem. ARZA World has been working closely with the social services departments at the municipal level to locate those who are most in need and has identified hundreds of families who can be beneficiaries of the program.

This morning six ARZA World tour educators and drivers who volunteered for the risky trip to the north and who would usually be guiding Congregations from North America during, what was supposed to be, a busy tourist season found themselves standing on buses and guiding Israeli “refugees” in Hebrew. When Doron Ezra, one of the volunteer tour educators, was asked if he was concerned about his trip to the danger zone he commented, “I was most concerned about the fact that I had never guided in Hebrew, but, as time went by, I sort of got into it.” Ezra Korman, an educator and DAAT’s VP, who coordinated the complex logistical operation said that “when we crossed into safety and out of the range of the rockets we made an announcement, and the people on the buses roared with happiness.” As an afterthought Ezra added, “I can only imagine the relief they felt; it truly moved and inspired me to be part of this effort which provides security and joy.”

The first six buses arrived in Jerusalem today, a little later than expected because upon the buses arrival in Ma’alot the sirens sounded. Our educators and bus drivers had to head for the nearest bomb shelter to wait it out, but, as soon as it was safe, they began filling the buses with people eager for a break from the rocket attacks.

"We are planning to offer this break for many other residents of the North in a number of towns and cities in the days to come" said Ya'acov Fried-President of DA'AT.

One of the participants, Oxana (seen here with her family upon their arrival in Jerusalem), came on our program with her extended family. They live in Kiryat Atta and made aliyah recently from Irkutzk in Siberia. Guy Millo, ARZA World’s Executive VP, spoke with Oxana upon her arrival in Jerusalem. When Guy asked her how they were coping with the rocket attacks in their hometown Oxana replied, "I am strong. It was difficult for me, but I could handle it. It was terrible for my children. Thank you."

We would like to invite you to join ARZA World in supporting “Regaim Shel Sheket | Moments of Tranquility” and helping to offer some peace of mind to even more residents of the North.

Many aspects of this project have already been donated by the companies we work with in Israel, and ARZA World is covering the remaining expenses. However sponsorship opportunities still exist and your help is needed!

We invite you to sponsor one person ($120) or even a whole busload ($5400). Any group or organization sponsoring a bus will have their name on that bus’s banner. Contributions of any amount, large or small, are greatly appreciated by both ARZA World and the people in Israel benefiting from this program.

If you want to help you can forward this article to a friend or to your entire contact list.

To contribute you can email Brianna Becker at bbecker@arzatravel.com or call at 888-811-2812 x205. For more information feel free to contact Brianna in our New York office. Or if you would like to speak to one of the people in Israel spearheading this project please call Guy Millo at 011-972-54-539-4375 or ARZA World’s President Ya’acov Fried at 011-972-52-520-0900.

Hopefully, these difficult times for all will be over soon, and we will see you again in Israel on an ARZA World Tour. We pray with you for more peaceful times and the return of travelers to Israel’s beautiful North.

*Please make all donations payable to ARZA World - “Moments of Tranquility”. Your donations will be used solely to fund the “Regaim Shel Sheket | Moments of Tranquility” program.

In summary we thought that pictures speak volumes and leave lasting impressions...

Posted by ARZA World Team at 08:10 PM | Comments (0)