I’m not in Israel, but my sister is in a bomb shelter as I post. I land in Atlanta in 3 hours, but she is terrified due to potential infiltration In the north.

I have a different story to share today.

Jewish National Fund – USA is a client of my company, Kenes Tours. They operate a program in Israel for high school students; Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Anyway, executive leadership called me on Monday with the plea, “Cheri, can you get our kids out?”

I immediately imagined parents at home in the States, freaking out that their kids were in a war zone. From personal experience, I was sure the kids wanted out too. And, during this time of feeling helpless, this mission gave me purpose. So, the only answer I could give was, “Yes.” (Besides, who can say “no” to Deena Shiff?!?!)

But how???? Thanks to the direction from Nevo Gal, I recruited the help of the flight department of Issta Lines, our parent company. Nitza — heaven knows how — convinced IsrAir to open a commercial flight to Rome on Wednesday (today) that could take the kids and 3 chaperones … 110 passengers. OMG!!! Would this be possible? Okay…. Breathe…. Getting them out was Step 1.

Step 2, what happens once they get to Rome? We needed a flight from Rome to the States….to anywhere on the east coast. So, we put out asks to those who might be able to charter a flight.

Tuesday morning, Nitza came through again. (Bless this woman!) She found an Alitalia commercial flight for Thursday (tomorrow) that could fly the entire group to Boston. Our luck was holding!!!

As I awaited approvals from JNF in NY (I kept trying to wake them, but it was 4:30am there), we launched Step 3. Deena Hassan from my team worked the logistics in Rome; finding and reserving airport arrival assistance, bus transfers, hotel, and meals. Believe me when I tell you that securing accommodations for 110 people — across time zones and within 48 hours — is no small feat.

The necessary approvals finally came. Step 4. Rinat Naim got to work on ticketing TLV-FCO. Georgina started ticketing FCO-BOS. Deena finalized all necessary bookings for the overnight in Rome.

Behind the scenes, JNF communicated with parents, prepared the kids, anointed the chaperones (Rabbi Marshall Lesack) and who knows what else they did.

And while I was flying to London, I put Keren Hatkevitz in charge to play “Director of Operations.”

——

As I write, the kids made it to Ben Gurion airport today. Their experience was more harrowing than mine was yesterday. They actually went into the airport’s bomb shelter twice!! But they got on the plane and it took off. Now we wait for the chickadees to land.

JNF spared no expense to make this happen.

At a time of feeling helpless, where words are inadequate, and constructive work feels impossible, the ability to perform this mitzvah feels amazing. Many rolled up their sleeves to help too…. We totally got shit done!!

Please pray for their safe return. And for the safety of all those left behind.