Commitment to Israel and Our Community

Our commitment to support our community was tested in the Summer of 2006, “Moments of Tranquility” was a grassroots initiative by our team of employees and serves as an example of our dedication and volunteerism.  
 
During the conflict on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon over a million people in Israel were spending part of their day in underground bomb shelters. We at ARZA World decided to provide "Moments of Tranquility", out of harm's way, to the residents of Northern Israel.

Many habitants of the region had relocated to the homes of relatives further to the south and were now not in danger. However there were many Israelis who either did not have relatives in Israel or lacked the financial ability to relocate; many of those were new immigrants.

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

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 included accommodations, meals and guided tours of Jerusalem. ARZA World worked closely with the social services departments at the municipal level to locate those who were most in need and has identified hundreds of families who can be beneficiaries of the program.

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 ARZA World’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, 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 ARZA World.