Your Momentum Israel trip will start with a profound seven-day immersive experience to the heart of Israel with women from Buffalo (November 17-23, 2025). This once-in-a-lifetime journey opens the soul to the spirit of unity that defines the Jewish homeland. Along with momentum sisters from around the world and Israeli women and mothers, this special educational journey leads participants not only through Israel but also to a more meaningful Jewish identity. The Momentum Journey is the inspiration to connect to Jewish values, engage more deeply with Israel, and gain the confidence to take action by standing up and speaking out. While every Jewish mother’s journey is unique, the Momentum Journey is a guide to help reach each woman’s personal and communal potential in influencing the Jewish journey of her children, her family, and her community. In partnership with the Buffalo Jewish Federation, this journey brings mothers to Israel who have children at home under the age of 18.
Two days into an incredible trip with Momentum, we’re sitting at dinner in Tiberias and reflecting on our time together. Yesterday, we joined together with women from all over the world at a welcome celebration. We were treated to amazing dancing by our new friends from Mumbai. We ate like queens and danced the night away. This morning we started our day...
Yesterday, we started our morning in Tiberias overlooking the beautiful Sea of Galilee. After another delicious Israeli breakfast, we departed for Tsfat where we talked about Shalom Bayit - Peace and Wholeness in the Home. We then toured through this mystical city visiting various synagogues, enjoying the artists market, and some of the best falafel in...
This picture deserves its own post. On Friday morning, the entire Momentum group met at Nefesh B’Nefesh (the Israeli non profit that helps North Americans make Aliyah). After a talk about parenting, we took a moment to honor one of our own groups- Mothers of Lone Soldiers. For those who do not know, a Lone Soldier is someone that comes to Israel from...
Before Shabbat began, we were treated to a concert at Aish Ha’Torah- which sits directly next to the Kotel. The rest of Shabbat was the perfect mix of rest, relaxation and reflection - with an incredible meal at a local Jerusalem family’s home and a group picture from the rooftop of our hotel. We ended Shabbat in the old city with havdalah and more singing...
Sunday was all about the desert! At a balmy 110 degrees we enjoyed camel riding, pita making and yoga overlooking the beautiful desert landscape. The full Momentum group then joined together for a naming ceremony, where 3 of our Buffalo moms received Hebrew names (2 for the very first time)! We then ventured to the Dead Sea where we covered ourselves in...
Our last day in Israel was bittersweet. We started the morning by talking about what we are bringing home with us. The beauty of the Momentum experience is that it doesn’t end after our time in Israel. We now get to spend the year learning and growing together as moms. We then traveled to Ammunition Hill where we heard from a panel of female soldiers (all...
The Buffalo MOMentum group just started their trip in Israel. Here is the first update - written by Merredith Meyers Levin and Rachel Brownstein: Shalom from Israel! What an adventure & we're only on day one! Our morning began by being welcomed into Orot Hesed Food Bank in Akko. There we met Dudu, a former military man who has devoted his...
Another update from the amazing group of women on the Buffalo MOMentum trip in Israel. Thank you Julie Babat and Jennifer Dryja for sending such an incredible recap from Tuesday-Wednesday (Dec 10-11)! Julie:Shalom from Israel! The last two days have been filled with awe and wonder! On Tuesday we transitioned between our sister city in the Northwest and...
Here's the next update from our Buffalo Mom's group traveling in Israel! Thanks to Laura Cooper Wexler and Amy Pecora for sending a great re-cap from Thursday's events! We started the morning by waking up in the Sea of Galilee. We heard a wonderful talk by Adrienne Gold on Peace in the home. During this talk, she refers to the marriage relationship...
Another update from the Buffalo MOMentum group in Israel! Thank you Lisa Balderman Rosenfeld and Rebecca Shaw for your thoughtful words! Lisa:Today we went to Yad Vashem - the Holocaust Memorial in Israel. As a first generation American on my father's side and the grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors, it's hard to capture with words the experience. My...
This is the last update from the amazing Buffalo MOMentum 2019 trip! Thank you Donna Levy and Alla Kats for these final thoughts. Donna:Our day began with an inspirational lecture by Adrienne Gold, our Trip and Educational Leader for Momentum. The theme we discussed was Unity and Mutual Responsibility. Adrienne explained that the human condition is like...