“Arise, Walk Through the Land…”

Following the positive response to more than 100 solidarity missions this past year, World Mizrachi has recently launched a new Educational Tourism Department, with the aim of encouraging communities, families and individuals to come to Israel on short, 3–4 day trips and experience an uplifting, post-Oct 7 narrative from a Religious Zionist perspective.

Rabbi Dr. Shimon Rapport, a former high school principal, lecturer and educator for over 30 years, has been appointed to head this initiative.

Tell us a little about yourself, Rav Shimon.

An oleh of 35 years from the UK. I currently live in Efrat in Gush Etzion with my wife Lisa. Thank G-d, we spend a lot of time with our children and grandchildren who are all over Israel. Professionally, I have always worked in education and tourism – education as a profession and tourism as a hobby until I turned that too into a profession! 

What does your new position at World Mizrachi entail?

Primarily the opportunity to bring communities, schools and families here from overseas. I know that many of our readers came on the Mizrachi solidarity missions last year – yet there is going to be something very special to see this year. Firstly, in spite of the ongoing war and our continued losses, there is a huge movement of healing and rebuilding going on here. My team in the new Educational Tourism Department has put together a new itinerary emphasizing positive messages, meeting inspirational speakers and key people who are focused on rejuvenation. The Mizrachi solidarity missions show that we know how to inspire Jews, by connecting them to the power of the Jewish spirit to bounce back from tragedy and terror.

In Parashat Vayeira, the Torah says, “VaYashkef al pnei S’dom.” Avraham did not just look at what was happening to S’dom. He observed more deeply or ‘overlooked’ the scene, meaning he saw beyond the physical sight of a city going up in flames. Asks the Midrash, “What did he see? He saw David HaMelech.” 

Yes, he saw the destruction of S’dom and felt the pain, but he also saw that ultimately, the Mashiach would be a direct result of this event. 

Here at Mizrachi, we have a similar view of current events, and that’s the kind of faith-based, future-focused, Torah-oriented message we wish to transmit to our participants.

Tell me what participants can expect from one of these new missions.

For example, a day in the North (subject to security regulations at the time) could include meeting a kitat konenut (first response security squad) in one of the missile-threatened towns, meeting farmers/volunteering in agriculture, attending a class in a temporary school for evacuees in Tiberias/meeting evacuees, visiting wounded soldiers in Rambam Hospital, becoming familiar with new community initiatives, and more. Thanks to Mizrachi’s extensive contact base, if someone asks to do or visit something that’s not on our suggested itinerary, we will certainly be happy to try and fulfill their wishes as best as we can. 

I will finish by mentioning that we have three tracks through which people can come on a Mizrachi mission:

1. Community missions – very often the rabbi/leadership of the community will reach out to us and we aim to tailor-make the visit based on our eight modular days itinerary. 
2. Open missions – meant for individuals and small groups who want to make their Israel trip all the more meaningful. We have six fixed dates when everyone who is planning to come to Israel can pre-register with us for a 3–day mission. These dates coincide with the national holidays and can be seen on the website.
3. School missions – our new Department has high school Israel programs for trips up to 3 weeks. Each program has a clear educational thread and includes all the elements one would expect for an inspiring trip to Israel. Our rates are very competitive. 

Amazing! How can people contact you?

All the details of each of the three tracks, along with sample programs, can be accessed through our website – mizrachi.org/missions. Each track has a designated contact person – please do make contact. We promise to get back to you!