The Zionist Caravan 2014

Every year, the Zionist Caravan travels along the Garden Route to run informative, enjoyable events about Israel and to reconnect with these smaller Jewish communities, and to strengthen the support of Zionist Christian communities there.

The Zionist Caravan 2014 brought Zionism to the hearts of people! It included five Shlichim, one archeologist, visits to 4 small Jewish communities, 5 meetings, 2,148km in 6 days, and meeting with over 260 participants.

This year, in a joint effort with our partnership region in Israel (Partnership2Gether): Beit Shemesh Mateh Yehuda, we managed to bring along Naveh Yogev, an employee at P2G, who is also an archeologist. After an opening event in Cape Town on 8 June, the Israeli Mishlachat left Cape Town for approximately a week

The Mishlachat represent the various faces of Israel, which includes members of all of the youth movements as well as from the Yeshiva of Cape Town. The Mishlachat come from different places in Israel (from Dimona in the south, through Jerusalem and its surrounds to the centre of Israel) and from a wide range of religious practices. The Mishlachat held meetings with the communities in Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth and East London. Attendance in all of these cities and towns far exceeded expectations.

All of the audience participants enjoyed a fascinating presentation by archeologist Naveh Yogev, who told them about the historical connection to the land of Israel by using archeological artifacts.

Thanks to the generosity of Bridges For Peace in Cape Town, we were also able to give away copies of their December magazine, which had an article about the hidden treasure on the Temple Mount.

The Zionist Caravan was used as a platform not only for formal engagement, but also for relaxed conversations with people regarding Israel and Aliyah. Indeed, a meeting was held with a potential Olah from Port Elizabeth as well as a meeting with a Matric student from Plettenberg Bay, going on a Kibbutz-Ulpan programme next year.