Signs of Hope: Reflections on Two Weeks in Israel

Earlier this month I spent two weeks in Israel.  I hadn’t been back in 10 years.  I had the honor to share some thoughts on the trip at Beth Chaim Congregation on 1/23/26. I didn’t come back with answers — but I did come back with a deeper sense of what makes coexistence possible and what makes it so fragile. You can view the video of my sermon here.

And here are some photos of the trip

Our group of 23 rabbis overlooking Jerusalem.

Leora Eilon speaking to our group

A home in the young people's section of the kibbutz after Oct 7.

A home at Kfar Azza after Oct. 7.

The Nova Festival Memorail Site

Remo Salman El-Hozayel (on the right), a Bedouin Muslim Israeli police officer who saved 200 people on Oct. 7 at the Nova Festival

Gratitude and affection for Remo

Ceramic "kalaniyot/red poppies", one for each person lost

The kalaniyot are everywhere

Me in Haifa at the Bahai Temple

Incense and flowers for sachets

Different kinds of halvah