Welcome to the Congregation B'nai Torah Trip to Israel Blog!
The Secret is Out -- This is the introductory first blog entry, in what I am hoping will become an exciting, interactive, and participatory way for our entire community to stay "plugged-in" to ALL of the preparations, planning activities, background, and informational events surrounding our soon-to-be Community Trip to Israel. By becoming followers of this blog, and by sharing in the information and communications presented here, I would like each member of our community to feel a sense of connectedness to the trip itself.
Historical Perspective and my own thoughts...The community trip we are planning is a reality, not a dream! This trip is the first ever Israel Trip being planned by and specifically for our own congregants. In surveys we have conducted, and from the Pisgah planning sessions we held 3 years ago, a community trip to Israel has consistently received high interest among our community. From the informal word-of-mouth communication that we are in the planning stages of a trip, I have already heard a number of people asking the right questions, expressing interest. I have no doubt, that this will be a historical event and a lasting memory for our congregation.
As a co-president of B'nai Torah, I realize that each individual member will have a different set of social obligations, financial situations, security concerns, and timing issues to consider in making their own personal decision as to whether they can actively participate. However, with the programming we are planning for the year ahead, and with active communication on this blog, I hope that questions can be answered, that the planning process can be understood and embraced, and that any concerns about the trip can be addressed. This will be an exciting year of programming culminating with the trip itself!!
But most of all, I am hopeful that this blog will be just one aspect of many which can build a sense of community for our entire congregation, whether you are traveling with the group or staying home to keep our congregation running while the trip takes place. By the time this trip happens, I would love it for everyone, both home and away, to be deeply involved with every detail about the trip and with each day's itinerary; knowing our group's daily activities and events, the sites being seen and their history, and the cities and people being visited.
And now, for some important 'Blog' details...
Before the frenzy (I hope) of blog entries begins, I will keep this introductory post up for a couple of weeks. During this period, we will be advertising the blog, in the eMegilla, Megilla, and announcements, and allowing time for as many people from our community as possible to become connected as followers. For many, this is something new - it may be the first time they are signing up to follow a blog. Initially, I will run the blog in a moderated fashion. I will post blog entries, from myself and from a handful of key committee members, in order to hopefully pass on information from behind the scenes planning activities as they move ahead. You will get an insider's view of all the goings on, right from the very start of this project! So sign up early and follow along...
Later on, as decisions are made in the process, as events are planned, and as details of the trip unfold, more and more community interaction will ensue. Eventually, as the Blog itself develops a life of its own, and as people get the hang of what entries are meaningful and appropriate, I will start accepting more and more posts from our community members.
Jeff Levi
Co-President, B'nai Torah
