October 22, 2003 - October 30, 2003
From the desk of Bev Goldman, Media, PR and Hasbara Coordinator of the SAZF – reliving an amazing experience…

I was privileged to lead a group of 14 volunteers from the Media Team - from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban - to Israel at the end of October (the Media Team is the representative body of the SA ZIONIST FEDERATION and the SA JEWISH BOARD of DEPUTIES).  We are extremely grateful to our hosts, the SA Zionist Federation, the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel), the Department for Zionist Activities of the World Zionist Organization, the Office of the Spokesman of the Jewish Agency for Israel and TELFED, without whose generous assistance, sponsorship and encouragement this unforgettable learning experience would not have taken place.

Visiting Israel was an awe-inspiring privilege and pleasure, and also a powerful and emotional experience. During our short but intensive stay there, we were exposed to and achieved a greater feeling and understanding of the difficulties, obstacles and dilemmas that Israel faces both externally and internally.   We met with and were addressed by some of the most respected and senior members of the MFA; by academics from Israel's top universities; by MKs and members of Israel's National Police; by senior advisors to the Defense Ministry; by Israeli and foreign journalists; by volunteers whose dedication to their various causes, ranging from collecting body parts after the tragedy of a suicide bombing to grooming themselves to become Israel advocacy experts both locally and internationally, is legendary; by ex-South Africans who had made aliyah and who could not speak highly enough of the quality of life they were experiencing in their new home despite the problems and pressures confronting them daily; and by ordinary Israelis, those whose lives are most affected by the Middle East Crisis. 

There is much poverty in Israel; there is much sadness; there is much anger and there is palpable tension.  The absence of tourists is a continual reminder to the people of their plight.  The many businesses that have closed because of the economic situation have given rise to great frustration and much despair. Social problems, which were not part of Israeli society before, have now surfaced and need to be dealt with rapidly.  Yet given all that, there is also enormous pride manifest in those who live in this incredible and unique country.  We were astonished - and greatly impressed - by the determination shown by Israelis to continue living as 'normal' lives as they can; and their fierce resistance to allowing themselves to be battered and rendered impotent by circumstances beyond their control. Most people, even those whose lives have been scarred by tragedy, remain resolute in their unswerving belief that some day the situation will return to normal and that Israel will be able to take her place in the international community as a country not at war but at peace, ensuring that her citizens have the same rights and privileges as people all over the world. 

The Media Team will continue, with renewed enthusiasm, to fight the cause of Israel in the local media and to educate both the local Jewish and the wider SA community in the reality that is Israel today. 

Media Team tours Mt. Herzl