Tourism Against Trauma - March Update

Friends and Family,

It's been a month since my last note, and we wanted to give you an update on our progress. 

Charity Status:

The test runs are done.  We now ask those that have committed to donating (and anyone else that would like to do so too), to please donate.  To do so, please go to Israel Select's donation page.  Please put "Other Specific Recipient" in the who drop down.  Please then write in "Tourism Against Trauma".  In nearly all cases, the donors have gotten an email thanking them for donating to purchasing Tefilin.  Please reply to the donation confirmation email, cc me, and let them know it's for Tourism Against Trauma. 

Further, we have chosen a name in Hebrew, but are still working on the english name.  The Hebrew one is called מסע ביחד (Masa Biychad) - which means journey together.  I would love to hear your thoughts! However, please say Tourism Against Trauma in the donation email.

Recent Trip:

We had an active month.  Ami led three trips that all went well and set up two more for the future.   On the flip side, the trip we had planned with the youth group of Sderot was canceled as many kids canceled at the last minute.  We're still adjusting the model to make youth trips more successful in the future.

• Kibbutz Kissufim Bike Ride #2: We had a second event with the group from Kissufim.  It was a long ride along the cliffs of the Ramon Crater and then lunch at a Bedouin tent. After a few victory beers, we enjoyed a traditional Bedouin lunch. This was likely our most successful trip so far as the riders expressed gratitude for the community we're helping create for them. Ami made a short video from this trip here for you all. It's a 1 minute video and worth watching. 

• Biking and lunch for Platoon 2 of Nahal Unit 8111:  We took a group of soldiers from Ami's unit on a bike, beer, and food trip. Afterwards, Ami reflected the following to me: "This is the first time they've met as a group since we finished our 120-day service, including battles in Kissufim and Khan Younis. Besides the fun of meeting, a spring bike ride, and enjoying time in nature, it was a place to check up on each other. To see who is 'fine' and who might be struggling to return to reality. Whether it's finding a job or dealing with what we did and saw in October. This is where we help each other."  I have attached some pictures of the trip here

• Biking, Acupuncture, and Beer for Platoon 1 of Nahal Unit 8111: This was Ami's platoon in Gaza.  Given Ami was from this platoon, the openness and sharing was quite high.  The soldiers spoke openly to one another about how they're feeling and what they're doing after Gaza.  Our vision of combining nature and therapy came to life on this trip. After the bike ride, the group made camp, each helping one another setting up, cooking, and cleaning.  Then before eating lunch and having beers,two acupuncturists came and put needles in their ears for a silent meditation - the guys sat together for 20 minutes absorbing the peace and reflecting. The juxtaposition of the calm experience in nature with what they'd been doing in Gaza going from door to door was cleansing and connecting. I've attached some photos from this trip as well here.  

• 
  

Next Trips

We have two trips scheduled. First, we are going to do an event with Platoon #3 from unit 8111 as well as the senior officers, logistics teams, and radiomen.  Additionally, we will do another bike trip with the group from Kibbutz Kissufim.  Now that we have a bit of a rhythm, if you know of displaced families or soldiers that would be interested in a trip, please let me and Ami know. We are expanding our network of communities as we gain more confidence in the impact these trips can have.

Thank you again for your love and support.

Am Yisrael Chai,

Dave and Am