04/24/2026
Seeing Israel Through a New Lens: My Weinberg Mission Experience
The Federation's Young Leadership Division (YLD) Weinberg Mission to Israel offers Jewish Cleveland young adults ages 22-45 an opportunity to explore the wonders and complexities of Israel today, with a special focus on life after October 7 and how this moment is shaping the country’s future. Through firsthand experiences, meaningful conversations, and unforgettable moments, participants gained new insights into Israel’s people, challenges, resilience, and hope.
The YLD Weinberg Mission to Israel is generously supported by a fund established by Penni & Steve Weinberg.
Stefanie Shoag and Meryl Kramer Brown share their Weinberg Mission experience:
Some friendships are rooted in time but ours is also rooted in shared values, history, and a commitment to Jewish life that began when we were just kids at Camp Ramah in Canada. Back then, we couldn’t have imagined raising our own Jewish families in Cleveland, watching our children grow up with deep community ties, and the powerful legacy of being descendants of Holocaust survivors. That history is never far from us; it shapes how we show up in the world, how we raise our children, and how we connect to Israel.
In 2005, as college students, we traveled to Israel together. Life, of course, got busy and nearly two decades passed without either of us returning. This past summer, we both traveled to Israel with our families. Despite the risks and despite the uncertainty and conflict, we felt strongly that our children needed to experience Israel not just as an idea, but as a living, breathing place.
Not long after in February 2026, we were given another extraordinary opportunity: to travel back again, this time alongside peers equally dedicated to Jewish communal life. We are profoundly grateful to the Federation and to the Weinberg family for making that possible.
One of the most powerful aspects of the trip was seeing firsthand the impact of the Federation on our sister communities in Beit Shean and Kibbutz Kissufim. These are not abstract partnerships; they are real relationships that change lives. Witnessing the connection between Cleveland and these communities made our global Jewish identity feel immediate and tangible. Cleveland has been instrumental in helping families return to Kibbutz Kissufim after October 7. Federation dollars have helped rebuild homes and get the Dairy Farm up and running again so that the kibbutz has their main source of income.
Some of the most meaningful moments of the trip came from engaging directly with Israeli kids. In the faces of those children, we saw curiosity, possibility and resilience. The Federation supports STEM schools in Beit Shean and we had the opportunity to visit a preschool classroom to see it in action. Students wrote a play about the Sephardi wedding traditions, filmed it, and then watched it to see what everyone learned from the video. We met students who participate in the Youth Futures program that supports at-risk youth. They were all so grateful to be part of the program, paired with a counselor who works one-on-one with them to support their needs both in and outside of the classroom.
There were also moments that challenged and deepened our perspective in unexpected ways. Hearing from Yossi Klein Halevi from the Shalom Hartman Institute was one of them. His insights helped us better understand the complexities of the region and gave us tools to process the difficult realities unfolding, including the conflict with Iran. It was not just informative but also grounding.
Then there was Yad Vashem. No matter how many times you prepare yourself, no matter how much you know, the experience is overwhelming. As descendants of Holocaust survivors, walking through that space carried an added weight. It connected past to present in a way that is impossible to ignore and impossible to forget. The new Holocaust museum shifted the narrative from one of victims to that of true survivors.
Because of this journey, because of the generosity that made it possible, we are returning home changed and better prepared for Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut. We are bringing with us renewed energy and a deeper sense of responsibility to continue to support the Federation and all that they do for Israel.
Marina Perelman shares a personal reflection on her experience – what the group saw, what they learned, and how the journey deepened the group's connection to Israel and the impact of our community.
I was deeply honored to be accepted to join the Weinberg Mission in February 2026. As someone who has long supported the Federation through donations, I realized that I had never truly taken the time to understand the real, human impact behind those contributions. This mission gave me the opportunity not only to return to Israel, a place I have visited many times, but to experience it through an entirely new and meaningful lens.
While I had seen much of Israel before, this journey revealed a side of the country I had never encountered. It opened my eyes to the extraordinary work being done on the ground and the profound difference that the Cleveland Jewish Federation is making in people’s lives every single day. What once felt like distant philanthropy became deeply personal and tangible.
One of the most powerful aspects of the trip was visiting Kibbutz Kissufim, which suffered devastating damage during the October 7th attacks. Hearing directly from members of the kibbutz about how their lives were forever changed was both heartbreaking and inspiring. They shared their stories of loss, resilience, and rebuilding. What stood out most was their deep gratitude — not just for the support they received, but for the partnership they feel with the Cleveland Federation. This isn’t just aid; it’s a relationship built on listening, trust, and responding to their most urgent needs.
Because of that support, the kibbutz has been able to begin rebuilding in meaningful ways, including the construction of a brand-new dairy production facility. This project will not only help sustain their community but also provide essential resources to surrounding areas. Again and again, individuals approached us simply to say thank you. In those moments, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in being part of something so impactful.
Another powerful example of the Federation’s work came in the form of something as simple — and as life-saving — as air conditioners in bomb shelters. These are not luxuries; they are critical tools that have quite literally saved lives. Seeing how targeted, thoughtful support can make such a difference shifted my entire perspective on giving.
The day that impacted me the most, however, was our visit to the Nova Festival site. I believed I had mentally prepared myself, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality. As we arrived, we were met with rows upon rows of memorial posters, each one representing a young life lost — individuals who had begun their day simply enjoying music and community.
I walked slowly among them, reading the stories their families chose to share. Each poster revealed a glimpse into a life full of dreams, passions, and love. I read about who they were, what they valued, and what they hoped for in the future — futures that were tragically cut short. The most difficult moments were reading their final messages to loved ones, filled with hope and humanity even in their last moments.
Standing there, surrounded by hundreds of faces and stories, was overwhelming in a way that words cannot fully capture. It was a moment of deep sorrow, but also of reflection, connection, and responsibility. I felt incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be there — to bear witness, to honor their memories, and to ensure that they are not forgotten.
This mission changed me. It allowed me to see Israel not just as a place I have visited, but as a living, breathing community that is deeply connected to us. It gave me clarity and confidence in where Federation dollars are going and the real lives they are helping to rebuild and sustain.
I leave this experience with a profound sense of gratitude and pride. Being part of the Weinberg Mission has not only deepened my connection to Israel but also strengthened my commitment to supporting the vital work that makes such a meaningful difference every day.
