“Hineni:” Here I am, ready to answer the call, ready to step up and be there for those in need. This was the motto of the 40 young adult men and women who joined the SCA and ILEAD’s week-long mission to Israel. Our goal was to connect with our brothers and sisters in Israel, to show them we love and support them, and to build something essential and long lasting to leave behind. Many times throughout this impactful mission these dedicated future leaders anticipated a need and rose to the challenge. 

While on this trip we also asked big and complex questions about the current events in Israel and in America. We met with multiple experts and average citizens who offered insight and advice on how we can take this powerful motto of “Hineni” home and continue to make a difference on our campuses, in our work lives and in our everyday experiences. In this one week we were able to shift our perspectives, feel empowered and useful, and bond with soldiers, children, and many others who have faced unimaginable atrocities and loss. Together we were able to run towards tragedy instead of away from it and answer the call of our fellow Jews and our eternal homeland by uniting together to shout “Hineni!”