October 22, 2008 /  23 Tishrei 5769

A thirty-member delegation of Dor Hemshech from the leadership of the Jewish Federation of Richmond, Virginia visited Ashkelon, the Gaza perimeter and Sderot.

The delegation arrived in Israel on September 21, to form a first-hand impression of life in the shadow of the Kassam missiles and to learn how the residents cope with the abnormal security situation.

They visited Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, where they received a report on how this frontline hospital treats those wounded in kassam attacks.  They toured an emergency ward and a special room that admits people wounded in a mega terror attack.

Later on, they met with participants and programs for young college graduates at the Jewish Agency's Calanit Absorption Center.  In the afternoon, they toured Sderot, visited the homes of town residents, and the Kassam missile collection at the local police station.

The response by delegation members was that only thanks to the on-site visit were they fully able to comprehend the tense and complicated predicament of the residents, who required a great deal of encouragement and assistance.