It was hard for me to leave Israel and miss Chanukah there. You can’t imagine how special it is, the whole country is glowing with the Chanukah lights. You can be in a neighborhood makolet (like a mini 7-11 kiosk) and it’s time to light– the store owner will stop everything, say the blessings, and every customer watches and answers with a resounding “Amen!”
In Israel, you are the “home team”, no tinsel, carols, or trees competing with the holiness of the Chanukah lights.
But duty calls. So I left just hours before the first lighting to fly to America to help raise the funds that make Momentum happen. I am speaking, meeting, and giving it my all. But each night of Chanukah I miss being by my husband’s side in Israel.
And then I realized– I am not missing the light, I am trying to be the light.
So as I stand in the homes of my many host families and join in their lighting, I ask Hashem to bless me with success in my efforts to light up His world.
Let’s light up the world together.
“If they can’t go to Israel, we’ll bring Israel to them!” said Momentum Founding Director Lori Palatnik – and with the launch of Momentum Retreats, that’s exactly what we did.
More than a year later, David Shevrin reflects on his MoMENtum Men’s Trip – how it changed his relationship with his family, the impact of meeting Israeli soldiers who are younger than his children, and what he wishes he could tell his pre-trip self.
Valuing peace over being right is a gift we give ourselves. So, it’s time to learn to apologize – even when we aren’t in the wrong! Practice saying “oops, I blew it” or “wow, I sure got that wrong” to prepare ourselves for the moments we’ll really need to say them. Otherwise, we may win the battle – but lose the war.
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
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
Communication Preferences
