In late May, my wife, Shikma, our two boys, and I visited Israel with the primary goal to see Shikma’s family: her grandma, sister, nieces, aunt, uncle, and cousins.
We spent several days in apartments in Ra’anana and Hod HaSharon eating great meals and catching up on lost time. We also participated in a Shavuot celebration at the home of Shikma’s cousin in Be’er Tuvia, a moshav (cooperative agricultural community) about 45 minutes south of Tel Aviv.
Shavuot on a moshav is a big deal with a celebration involving synchronized tractor “dances,” wheelbarrow races, the presentation of new babies born in the past year, and singing and dancing until the sun sets.
Alongside the family reunion, we had a secondary mission for the visit to Israel: reunite with the Shinshinim who lived in our Jewish community. Shinshinim are young Israeli high school graduates who serve as emissaries in Jewish communities around the world for a year, deferring their mandatory military service.
Many will remember Aya Sever, Naomi Friedland, and Maya Ostrov. Aya was one of our community’s first Shinshin in 2023. Naomi and Maya followed the next year. Shikma, our boys, and I felt such joy reconnecting with all three young women who now serve in various capacities in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
We even met the parents of a current Shinshin in Tidewater, Danielle Hartman. Karen and Yaniv Hartman joined us for an impromptu birthday party for our son, Niv, who turned 10 while we were in Israel.
On one trip, we spent time with family as well as friends who feel like family. What could be better?
Well, there is something more.
For two of our nine days in Israel, we explored the country with a terrific young tour guide, Yishai Damelin. One of our stops was The Nadiv Farm in the Zichron Yaacov region of the country. As many know, “Nadiv” is the name of the young professional men’s fundraising division of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
I was intrigued. Why name a farm “Nadiv,” which means “generous” in Hebrew?
Yishai explained that in the 1880s, an anonymous philanthropist (known as “HaNadiv” or “The Great Benefactor”) began to fund the earliest agricultural and infrastructure projects in what would later become the State of Israel.
The man was later revealed to be Baron Edmond de Rothschild, the renowned French banker.
Rothschild supported projects such as the start of the wine industry in Israel. He also built factories, drained swamps to combat malaria, and established clinics to provide medical care.
In Zichron Yaacov, along the coast between Tel Aviv and Haifa, the word Nadiv is found in several places. We took a Jeep ride through vineyards at The Nadiv Farm and ate lunch in Zichron at a restaurant called The Nadiv. There is also a famous garden in Israel called Ramat HaNadiv where Edmond and his wife are buried.
Even more, there is a philanthropic organization in Israel today called Yad HaNadiv, rooted in Rothschild’s mission, that supports efforts in education, the environment, and early childhood. (yadhanadiv.org.il)
When I chose “Nadiv” as our group’s name in 2016, I didn’t know about the legacy of Baron Edmond de Rothschild. I only learned the information during our recent trip to Israel. But now, the connection only strengthens our group’s purpose since “HaNadiv” was crucial to the founding of Israel. I am proud that Nadiv here in Tidewater continues that legacy.
Every trip to Israel is special in its own way. This one is no exception.
