2019 Mission To Israel
A dynamic group of Soroka Medical Center Supporters joined together for an extraordinary 2019 Mission to Israel. During the weeklong, program-packed visit to Israel, participants enjoyed one-of-a-kind experiences and got a behind-the-scenes look at Israeli cultural, spiritual and innovation hubs.
Highlights included a private tour of the Knesset and a special meeting with Minister of Justice Amir Ohana (who was born at Soroka Medical Center); immersions in high-tech innovation sectors, including the Healthy Aging Laboratory at the Gav Yam High-Tech Park, a guided tour of Sodastream, a corporate model of economic peace in the Negev; and an in-depth security briefing in the Golan Heights at the Syrian border.
We visited ancient ruins, including a tour of an ancient synagogue at Capernaum where we saw the first known representation of a Magen David - a relief carving that dates back to the second or third Century CE. We enjoyed a Tasting Tour in the famed Mahane Yehudah market, a fantastically fun Jeep tour of the Ramon Crater, visits to three kibutzim, and stays at some of the most spectacular hotels in Israel and the world - Isrotel’s Bereisheet Hotel in Mitzpeh Ramon, Orient Hotel in Jerusalem, and The Setai of the Galillee - ensuring that everyone felt enriched, inspired and pampered at the same time. "The mission was incredibly well planned and packed with terrific and varied activities." stated board member Miriam Arond, a first time mission participant. "Every year the Soroka mission introduces me to new sides of Israel, ones that I could never see if I traveled there on my own" said another board member Carlos Gutierrez Jr., who , this year, completed his third Soroka Mission to Israel.
The May 30 - June 6 journey culminated at Soroka Medical Center where participants witnessed the impact of their support, visiting the new Legacy Heritage Oncology Center, the Frances and Nathan Kirsh Emergency Department, the Saban Pediatric Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Participants met with Soroka Director General Dr. Shlomi Codish as well as many members of the medical staff. “This visit was a life-defining experience for my wife Stacey and me! There is nothing like experiencing Israel with the type of accessibility, camaraderie and curation as the Soroka mission provides” said Dr. Rick Newman.
Enrollment for AFSMC 2020 Mission to Israel is OPEN and we are now accepting reservations. Please contact Pazit Pazit@Soroka.org to obtain additional information and to reserve your spot for this trip of a lifetime. The 2020 mission takes place July 2 – July 9, 2020, costs $5,200 per person, double occupancy, if booked by Dec. 31 2019, and includes a $500 donation to American Friends of Soroka Medical Center (price excludes airfare). There is a single-supplement of $1,600 per person. After 12/1/2020, the price increases to $5,500. We look forward to sharing this experience with you.
With Warm Regards,
Your Friends at Soroka Medical Center
