Community
Jewish mothers’ journey to Israel to build solidarity
Twenty-one Jewish mothers from Cape Town recently joined nearly 280 women from 15 countries across the globe as part of Momentum’s Journey of Growth, an eight-day trip to Israel designed to empower women with Jewish values, identity, and global responsibility in the wake of 7 October.
The mission, which included participants from India, Venezuela, France, Canada, the United States, and Spain, brought together mothers committed to personal growth and communal change.
The trip took place before the recent missile attacks from Iran, but its message of solidarity and strength feels more urgent than ever. In these difficult days when Israel is facing existential threats on multiple fronts, the presence of Jewish women from around the world underscores the unshakeable global bond of the Jewish people.
It was an emotional experience for the South African delegation. Said Martine Trope, “I’d participated in a Momentum in 2014, and it left such an impact on me. It’s an inspiring trip. But I was much younger then, and I’m now going in with more of a sense of purpose. My goal is to get as many people in our community to connect to Judaism, not necessarily to become more religious, but to be proud of their Jewish identity and tap into what connects us all.”
The group’s itinerary included a visit to southern Israel, where they witnessed the trauma and resilience of Israeli families near the Re’eim Nova site. The visit included storytelling; volunteer work; and deeply emotional encounters with survivors and residents rebuilding their communities. They also visited Mount Herzl, where many of Israel’s dignitaries are laid to rest; toured the Jewish Quarter of the Old City in Jerusalem; and danced and prayed at the Western Wall.
In light of recent events, these encounters now take on even deeper meaning. As Iranian missiles have targeted Israeli civilians, the stories of courage, grief, and strength that these women heard firsthand remind us why standing with Israel, and with one another, is so essential.
As such, this journey leads participants not only through a connection to Israel, but to a more meaningful Jewish identity. The Momentum Journey of Growth gives participants 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 when they return to their home countries.
Momentum, which works closely with the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, brings Jewish parents from around the world, the majority of whom are mothers, to Israel and empowers them to be change agents in their respective Jewish communities.
The continued escalation of attacks against Israel only underscores the need for Jewish unity and action. Solidarity isn’t symbolic, it’s essential.
The organisation was established when Lori Palatnik, along with seven other Jewish mother leaders – known as the Utah 8 – noticed that communities were struggling to connect women with Jewish values and Israel. Together with eight women from the Washington, D.C. area, they developed the concept of a subsidised trip to Israel for Jewish mothers as a transformative investment in the Jewish family.
Formerly the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project, Momentum has been tremendously successful in its mission of inspiring women not only to discover, but to become enchanted with Israel.
Mark Alcock (Malkiel Vel-Vel.)
August 13, 2025 at 6:32 pm
Beloved Jewish mothers are the heartbeat of their blessed Jewish families.
It was another lonely and quiet night eating out at Spurs .Even the 50% discount failed to attract the masses on a cold Tuesday night. There were probably only 3-4 tables occupied and the ambience was dead which darkened the restaurant more …
Suddenly , a young family burst into the restaurant late at night .The father and his 2 older sons wore yamulkes and tassles. The 2 young kids aged about 5 and 6 shot into the play room filled with kiddies fantasies that not only excited the 2 boys but their mother too engaged together in their excitement. She was a short lady not much taller than her boys , but her beautiful countenance shone like a bright light that could disarm any admiring onlooker.
While her laid back overweight hubby continued with his verbosity glued to his phone ,probably relaying his travels in SA back to his family in Israel.
The beautiful young blonde child ran around the restaurant curiously inspecting everything. It was clear if the child was a girl or boy .His mother trusted in him and let him run wild.
The manager said they wouldnt eat in as they were strictly kosher.
After about half an hour the games were over and it was time to leave… They werent looking to make new friends and were heading out until i greeted them with a few shaloms which caused them to pause.
I held out my hand to grteet the young boys .The older boy gripped my hand confidently and introduced himself as Shneer. The younger boy stood aside in waiting , and when i held out my hand he too snatched at itt with even more confidence and friendliness .I didnt quite catch his name , it sounded like Eden. I asked them about their holiday from Israel to SA to which they both responded with impeccable English in precise and clear rhetoric. Their yarmulkes were uneven but hanging on and their tassles swept the floors unbekown to them.
As a bachelor what really came home is to witness a family in its full glory ! The parents allowed their kids to run riot and take over which lit up the dead restuarant. They acknowledged the war was still on , but it wasnt going to spoil their holiday. After such a short spell of meeting them ,i realised they were so mature they didnt even need their parents except for physical protection. The kids obviously were raised at an accelerated pace and probably at a Yeshiva type college.
What also dawned on me was that they were so different and advanced to the typical non Jewish kids. They were so close knit and shedded so much warmth and genuine love that when they suddenly left i felt that same old loneliness creeping in and questioned my bachelor hood ?
It just goes to show you that its always best not to shake hands with strangers , but greeting strangers with yamulkes and tassles with Shalom ,miraculously breaks all secular rules. Thus, inciting all the covert Jewish magic dressed in Jewish dressage somehow removes all the secular narrow protocol and formal etiquette rules with an unforgettable lasting memory ,that brings and prolongs light with hope, overcoming even when the wars are raging and the chips seemingly low and down.
Shalom.