24 | APRIL 6 • 2023
it and continued to be impressed by
every food item he tried, filling up his
plate with small tastes of everything
whenever meals were served buffet-style.
Brooke wasn’t a big fan of some of the
new foods, but she made an effort the
entire trip to go out of her comfort zone
and try as many new things as she could.
She was excited when she loved some-
thing new, which included fresh juice,
duck, pickled carrots and fresh dates.
Other travelers on the trip warned her
that the dates back at home wouldn’t be
nearly as good!
Marty Abrin and Ilene Silverman-
Abrin were also on the Mission trip to
Israel and were celebrating their 40th
anniversary. The Abrin’s made connec-
tions with both Brooke and Jonathan,
who were on their bus. “It really warmed
my heart to see how much they were get-
ting out of the trip and enjoying them-
selves,” said Silverman-Abrin. “It brought
a special feeling to me to have them with
us.” The couple, whose nephew also has
special needs, shared how heartwarming
it was to see everyone welcome Brooke
and Jonathan into their lives.
Brooke and Jonathan both enjoyed
looking at the variety of artwork and
knickknacks in different shops at the
markets they visited as they toured
Jerusalem. There were local artists
from the region at Kibbutz Sarid, where
Brooke and Jonathan both found gifts for
loved ones at home. During the entire
trip, Jonathan was dedicated to finding
gifts for his JARC home staff members
and for his beloved, long-term house-
mate, Richard. It was in the Old City that
he found a beautiful kippah for Richard
and bought a matching one for himself.
Gottlieb said, “People loved having
Jonathan around throughout the trip
and shared with us that seeing him smile
meant more to them than seeing some-
one else smile. They were so happy and
impressed that he was able to come on
the trip.”
Woodside and Gottlieb shared that
the most meaningful experience for
both Brooke and Jonathan was seeing
and experiencing the Western Wall.
Both Brooke and Jonathan took time
to write prayers and find a spot in the
Wall to place them. The experience was
meaningful for many, but especially
so when Jonathan shared his personal
prayer with Jacob: “I hope things will be
better.”
While everyone else was walking
around the Western Wall, Jonathan just
wanted to sit and observe the many peo-
ple around him and soak it all in. Right
before they were going to leave, Jonathan
went back and touched the Western Wall
just one last time.
“Having Brooke and Jonathan on our
bus was so special, and they made our
bus that much better. Everyone was
happy to see them be happy and to be
enjoying the experience as much as the
rest of us,” said David Glass, who was
the captain of their bus. “I didn’t see
them as anything other than Brooke and
Jonathan. Their disabilities didn’t make
any difference.”
FEARS OVERCOME
Another of the many significant sites
the JARC group visited was an import-
ant symbol of Jewish heroism and
sacrifice, the Masada. While everyone
loved the ride to the top of the moun-
tain on the cable car, it was especially
significant for Brooke. It was here that
Brooke overcame her fear of heights, as
she was determined not to miss out on
anything. This cable car experience was
a breakthrough for her as the Masada
cableway is an aerial tramway that goes
approximately 300 meters high. Brooke
was in awe as they traveled to the top,
JOHN AISEN
JARC STAFF
Brooke is all
smiles as she
enjoys herself in
the Dead Sea.
Jonathan
touching the
Western Wall
OUR COMMUNITY
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