JERUSALEM โ 25 Jewish mothers from Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia joined nearly 280 women from 15 countries on Momentumโs Journey of Growth, an eight-day mission to Israel aimed at strengthening Jewish identity and global solidarity in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The international delegation included women from India, Venezuela, France, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Spain. Their shared experience emphasized resilience, unity, and the enduring connection of the Jewish people to Israel.
Organized by Momentum in partnership with Israelโs Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, the mission offered participants the opportunity to engage deeply with Israelโs people and history. The Canadian group participated in visits to key locations, including southern communities affected by the October 7 massacre, Mount Herzl, and Jerusalemโs Old City.
Participants met survivors near the Reโeim Nova festival site and took part in volunteer efforts, storytelling sessions, and emotional exchanges with families rebuilding their lives. These encounters, held before the recent missile attacks launched by Iran, gained even more significance amid the escalating regional threats against Israel.
Sandy Toran, a participant from Ontario, described the trip as transformative: โSince October 7th, I’ve been even more connected to everything happening in Israel. Itโs part of my everyday life. But Iโm so grateful to experience Israel from the Momentum lens. Itโs a spiritual perspective that helps you find out who you are, your strengths, and how to use them to fortify your family and community.โ
The program, launched by Lori Palatnik and a group of Jewish community leaders known as the โUtah 8,โ began as a way to engage Jewish mothers through subsidized trips to Israel. Momentum has since become a leading force in diaspora education, having brought thousands of women to Israel since its founding in 2009.
Formerly known as the Jewish Womenโs Renaissance Project, the organizationโs core mission is to inspire women to strengthen their Jewish identity, deepen their connection to Israel, and lead positive change in their home communities.
In light of continued attacks on Israel and rising global antisemitism, Momentumโs leadership emphasized the critical importance of Jewish unity.
โSolidarity is not symbolic, itโs essential,โ the organization stated in its news release. โThis journey reinforces the importance of standing with Israel and one another.โ
Momentum continues to organize missions for Jewish mothers and fathers from around the world, offering tools and experiences designed to strengthen Jewish families and communities.
This article is based on verified information from Momentum.