Shorashim

02/23/2025

Our hearts these days are with our beloved Maayan Snapir, the granddaughter of Yocheved Lifsh*tz, who was among the first to be released from Hamas captivity, and of Oded Lifsh*tz, who was kidnapped along with Yocheved from Kibbutz Nir Oz.

After we received the heartbreaking news in recent days that he is no longer among the living, Oded was returned to Israel and will be buried Tuesday in the kibbutz he loved so much.

Over the past year and a half, Maayan has been a beacon of light in the darkness of this time.
With her unique eloquence and grace, she has spoken to dozens of Shorashim delegations, both in Israel and abroad.

Maayan, you have strengthened us throughout this entire period. You asked us to hold on to hope and to fight for a better society.

Today, we embrace you and send you our strength in return. We will continue to act and educate so that there will be a better and stronger future.

With love,
The Shorashim Family

01/14/2025

Sending love, healing, and hope to all those impacted by the ongoing tragic devastation in Southern California ❣️❤️‍🩹💔

12/23/2024

Thank you to our partners and friends at The iCenter for the kind words on meaningful collaboration.

Mifgash That Matters Cohort 8 ✔️

08/12/2024

06/06/2024

🤍💙🩵

05/28/2024

Extremely proud & immensely grateful to have been able execute this important trip with our longtime partners at Chicago Jewish Day School. During these challenging times, it’s very special to be able to continue to bring Jewish teens to Israel on immersive journeys such as this one.

05/12/2024

We invite you to join the livestream of the Masa Yom HaZikaron Memorial Ceremony. Join us in commemorating Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

04/22/2024

Passover begins tonight & as we commemorate the exodus of the Jewish people and freedom from bo***ge, we must not forget about the 133 innocent people being held captive in Gaza by Hamas. We must not forget about the families with empty places at their Seder table. Bring them home now 💔🙏🏼

📸 credit:

03/17/2024

Last month, TOV Volunteer Network (JUF) joined us for an impactful trip filled with learning, growth, and giving back. Dr. Gary Schaffel, one of the wonderful participants, summarized the trip’s profound impact:

“Ben Gurion was different, quiet and more serine. Fewer people, less congested. The cab ride to the hotel felt normal. Tel Aviv, the beach, and the hotel felt normal. I was surprised and wondered when I would experience the sadness, the intensity, the anger of the Israeli people for having trusted and hoped for peace with yet another Arab betrayal. The restaurants and bars were crowded and felt normal. Visiting my family felt normal. Life moved forward. The people carry-on despite sitting shiva for neighbors, despite sons and fathers going off to war, despite economic hardship. People go to work, celebrate their simchas, honor Shabbat, and help each other through this difficulty.

Shorashim, our ambassadors, showed us what was happening on the ground. We listened to displaced Israelis, to leaders trying to navigate their new reality, to soldiers trying to recover from injury and commanders making sense of their job to protect the people. We listened to survivors who endured indescribable horror. We helped pack food and helped a farmer whose trees were vulnerable because his workers were not permitted over the border. The experience allowed us to feel the weight of the situation, make an impact with the people we visited, and remain safe in a time of uncertainty.

Israelis have a sense of community and connection that just works! Whatever differences exist between people, it was obvious that they stand by each other to endure the hardship. It felt good to contribute. Beyond money, it felt good to be a listener, a worker, an advocate, a partner to protect the homeland.

Israel represents an aspiration for all people. It is more diverse than any other place. The people cherish every inch of the land, they take nothing for granted, they are patriotic, they contribute to the world’s knowledge in so many areas, they help others, including their enemy, they are blunt and speak the truth even if difficult to hear.

Coming to Israel stirs so many emotions. It makes me feel proud of my people to endure centuries of exhile, brutality, and humiliation at the hands of other people only to create a country that is a world leader in just 75 years. They have created beauty out of a desert. The culture of food, art, and music stimulates the senses. The technology, business, and ingenuity is fascinating. The brilliance of the Jewish religion permeates the lifestyle. Whether secular or ultra orthodox, Jewish values are present and give human beings the roadmap for community, justice, mercy, and nourishment of the soul.

Why is the world so hard on Israel and the Jewish people? It is an extraordinary privilege for me to come to Israel to stand by my people, help in any way that I can, and help the world understand the truth about this small and mighty nation.”

03/11/2024

Our hearts are completely broken to share that Sergeant First Class (res.) Michael Gal, one of our summer 2022 Taglit-Birthright Israel Israeli participants, was killed in Gaza during this current operation against Hamas terrorists. There are no words to describe this horrible news. May his memory forever be a blessing.

03/04/2024

Last month, two cohorts of the The iCenter’s Mifgash That Matters program took part in an educational journey through Israel. This program, funded by the Jim Joseph Foundation and powered by The Jewish Education Project to bring Jewish/Israel educators to see the aftermath of 10/7 and current realities of Israel for themselves. Through educational sessions, visits to Hostages Square & impacted kibbutzim, working with displaced families, participating in interactive, collaborative discussions with informative speakers, & more, these educators were able to gain insights and personal experiences to help them further strengthen their important roles in their field. We are proud to work on this unbelievable program and look forward to welcoming the next cohorts back to Israel in two weeks.

02/02/2024

With Kibbbutz Gvulot residents returning back home this Sunday & the kibbutz serving as the new home to the Eshkol Regional School, there was much work needed to prepare the grounds and facilities for both! This group of Jewish National Fund - USA volunteers may have only spent the day here, but we’re certain their impact will be felt every day to follow! 💙🤍

01/29/2024

Over the past few weeks, our team (+ a special visitor) have continued to come together to volunteer in different kibbutzim and helping with farming needs. We first harvested pecans and then helped pick strawberries the following week! 🍓

There’s no doubt that these times are beyond challenging; things feel more normal, but entirely the furthest from normal at the same time. It’s a strange juxtaposition to be picking ingredients that could be used in the Great (Israeli) Bake Off (Pecan Pie vs. Strawberry Shortcake vibes) while we are all feeling the way we do. Yet, we also know that finding joy, connection, community, and giving back is vital to our perseverance as a people.

We’re grateful for each other & all of the support of our Shorashim family! 🤍