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On February 18, a group of volunteers and staff from Minneapolis Jewish Federation will embark on a week-long volunteer and solidarity mission to Israel. In anticipation of this journey, CEO Jim Cohen had an idea to partner with Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minneapolis (JFCS) and facilitate a session designed to equip the group with strategies for self-care and support during their mission.

This won’t be the first time Cohen has visited Israel since October 7, so he understands the importance of personal well-being when embarking on a trip like this. He took part in The Jewish Federations of North America’s first fly-in to Israel just weeks later on October 24. Read his Live from Israel reflections. He shared that he’s been curious to see the morale in Israel since his visit in October. As we know, the violence and trauma have not subsided. To prepare the group for the challenges they may encounter, social workers Mark Kaufman, LICSW, and Becca Hotchkiss, LICSW, from JFCS created a presentation to guide the group on ways to support themselves and others during the mission. The group was guided through the practice of grounding techniques and wellness plans, open discussions with family members about travel plans to Israel, and extended support to individuals encountered during the mission.

The session began with an icebreaker led by Chief Philanthropy Officer, Steven Baker, who encouraged the group to share why they chose to travel to Israel during this time. There was an overwhelming sense of “I want to go do something with my hands. I don't just want to click a link, watch something on TV or read something. I want to go help.”

Mark and Becca provided the group with a toolbox of techniques, including distractions as simple as deep breathing and the sour candy trick. According to Kara Rosenwald, Director of Global Experiences and Events, the purpose of the sour candy is to momentarily distract from a stressful or traumatic situation, “if you have a moment where you need to think about something else or take yourself out of that moment, pop the candy in your mouth and let your body feel the reaction to that instead of whatever is in front of you at the moment.”

The session also delved into effective communication with family members who shared worries with their loved ones on the mission. Participants discussed open and honest communication with family members, finding common ground on the importance of their participation in this trip. “This helped participants understand that they may leave those conversations with our family members without their total blessing because they're worried, but to know that they're supported in that thing we have in common of wanting to go help,” said Rosenwald.

Upon the group’s return from Israel, Mark and Becca will lead a follow-up session to facilitate reflection and processing of this journey. “The goal is for participants to return not only with stories of impactful volunteering but also with a narrative of how the Federation effectively prepared them for this significant endeavor,” said Rosenwald. The partnership between Federation and JFCS exemplifies our local partnership and extends beyond our Minneapolis community overseas.

Visit Minneapolis Jewish Federation’s website to learn more and donate to the Israel Emergency Fund.

Community Partnership Helps Prepare for Volunteer & Solidarity Mission to Israel