On Thursday, New Jersey Congressman Scott Garrett visited with the travelers who will be taking part in the Jewish Home Family’s Centennial Mission to Israel in October. There are 10 older adults participating on this 10-day mission and each has a “buddy,” who will be his or her roommate and traveling companion. The team has begun monthly meetings focused on preparing for their journey and learning more about Israel and what they are going to see and experience.
“I’ve been able to go to Israel three times in my life,” he told the group. “I’ve gone over as a member of Congress, with AIPAC and others. My trips over there have always been an eye-opening experience for me.”
Staff and residents were chosen to attend the mission after dozens of applications were reviewed. The application included an essay about why they wished to join the momentous mission.
After speaking a bit about his personal experiences in Israel, the Congressman took questions from members—many of whom have never been to Israel before. One asked whether he felt it was a safe time to visit.
“Even in the most troubling times over there we felt completely safe—even safer than we sometimes feel here at home,” the Congressman said.
The Centennial Mission is one of a series of special programs that celebrate and recognize the Jewish Home’s 100 years of service to this community. Jewish Home Family President and CEO, Carol Silver Elliott, says that this is the ideal year to take a mission to Israel. “Taking older adults to Israel is no small thing. It demonstrates our commitment to our elders and to believing that they can still learn, grow and achieve. We say that age is just a number and undertaking a mission like this proves it, demonstrating that you are never too old to have a dream and to have that dream become reality.”