Sunday was an incredible day for me—we started at Schneider Children’s Hospital, went to the Israeli National Therapeudic Riding Association (INTRA), then had the unbelievable opportunity to meet Gilad Shalit’s father (Gilad has been held captive by Hamas for over four year now) . . . wow.
At Schneider Hospital, I saw the true meaning of life. Although the group was amongst sick children and worried parents, there was such a feeling of happiness and love. The emphasis that the hospital puts on making children feel like children, (not adults), is incredible. I was touched that some of the staff at the hospital took time out of their busy day to speak of their work and the miraculous and innovative things that the hospital does.
In the afternoon, we visited INTRA where we felt an incredible personal connection to the facility, the founder Anita Shkedi, and to the participants that are so touched to be part of the program. The group unanimously decided that INTRA will be our service project so we can help them build a café where participants of the program can heal, rest, and socialize. I really look forward to this relationship that the group will be building with INTRA once we return to Philadelphia.
That evening when we decided last minute to visit the protest that Gilad Shalit’s parents have started in front of the Prime Ministers home was by far the most memorable part of my experience in this country. His father spoke with such strength about the uncertainty of Gilad’s return to Israel. When he thanked us for coming to support them, his final words were “Come back and stay in Israel.” After the tragedy that Gilad’s family have been going through for the past four years, he is still such a Zionist to encourage our group to be in Israel—truly inspiring.
Today, Menachem spoke about the idea of giving Tzedakkah and what the Talmud describes as giving to those in need and encouraging others to do so. Our day yesterday was the living, breathing example of how people generously give (and give back) to make life more meaningful.
I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing organization and to be in Israel with an incredible group of individuals that I am able to share this experience with. I can’t wait for this group to bond back in Philadelphia!
- Stephanie Sorkin
‘You just got Sorkinsized—Shazaam’ 
