Finding Momentum at Exactly the Right Time
Marni Darby was at a crossroads. She just didn’t know it at the time.
This past JWRP MOMentum trip, JWRP participant Margarita Gerzhina from Krasnoyarsk, Russia visited the Kotel with her group. She shared that she prayed at the Wall to find her long-lost family.
When Shabbat arrived, Margarita found herself at Shabbat lunch in Jerusalem at the home of Pablo and Sara Dues, a newlywed couple who had moved to Israel from Baltimore. The newlyweds’ mother-in-law, who was also present, had learned Russian while working for the U.S. Foreign Affairs Department and spoke comfortably with Margarita.
During their conversation, Margarita explained that her last name originated from Tishvin, a small Russian Jewish shtetl. As Margarita shared her family’s history, her hosts listened in stunned silence.
Margarita’s story was exactly the same as Ilya’s, her host’s father, who had spent his whole life searching for his family as well. It turned out that Margarita and Ilya’s grandmothers were sisters who had lost contact with one another in Russia. Margarita and Ilya both feared that their families had perished in the Holocaust, but they continued to look for each other for over 30 years.
Over Shabbat lunch, they even realized that they owned identical family photos!
Amazingly, Ilya planned to be in Israel the following week, and on Monday, after Margarita’s MOMentum Trip ended, the two sides of the family reunited.
Margarita, her newfound family, and the JWRP sisters who witnessed the reunion were all in tears. It was a true HP (Higher Power) moment!
Marni Darby was at a crossroads. She just didn’t know it at the time.
Mother to Mother Israel Unity Mission
May 13-19, 2024 | July 2-7, 2024
Join our leadership, alumnae, and our partner organizations in supporting our sisters and their families with love, strength, and taking action.
Unity Mission for Men
May 13-19, 2024
Momentum leadership, alumni and fathers of lone soldiers are embarking on this critical mission to support our fellow Israeli fathers, brothers, and their families, as we take action and bring them spiritual strength.
Apply to 2024 Fall Trips
For Jewish mothers with children age 18 and under
Participants only pay their acceptance fee and airfare
To participate in the Momentum Yearlong Journey, women must live in close proximity to a Partner Organization. See our partners list here. Please notify your Community Leader with any updates to your application
Apply to 2024 Fall Trips
Mainly for the husbands of Momentum sisters
$900 for Momentum husbands
Each man get a scholarship of $2,100-$2,400
Partner Organization contributes $700 per man
The Israeli Government does not contribute to the Men’s Trips
To participate, men must live in close proximity to a Partner Organization. See our partners list here. Please notify your Community Leader with any updates to your application
November 4-11, 2024
An exclusive, transformational, spiritual, and uplifting journey for women looking to invest in themselves and help us continue to build the Momentum movement.
Please note: This trip is not subsidized.