Colonel (res.) Golan Vach, a longtime advocate for strengthening connections between Israeli and Jewish communities abroad, recently collaborated with Mosaic United to spearhead a special mission aimed at fostering ties between Israelis and American Jewish communities. Joining him on this mission were Eitan and Talia, two members of a delegation from New York.
The initiative brought young couples from the United States to Israel, where they engaged with local communities, volunteered and gained a deeper understanding of Israeli life, particularly in areas impacted by the war.
Strengthening jewish bonds with Mashadi jewish community
(Video: Lior Sharon)
The mission, which began earlier this year, marked an important milestone for Vach’s efforts. “We have been working with the Jewish communities abroad for many years, but it's the first time that we're working in the U.S. in order to strengthen the connection between Israeli communities and American communities,” he explained.
He credited Mosaic United for providing the platform and guidance that made the initiative possible. “We got the beautiful, wonderful, successful connection with the Mosaic United… to help us bring young couples, in this case from New York, to meet Israeli communities, to volunteer, to feel that they are being part of the Israeli life, especially after the war.”
5 View gallery
Members of a young Jewish delegation from New York join a special mission to strengthen ties with Israeli communities, volunteering in areas affected by the war as part of a Mosaic United initiative
(Photo: Israela & Mosaic United)
5 View gallery
Members of a young Jewish delegation from New York join a special mission to strengthen ties with Israeli communities, volunteering in areas affected by the war as part of a Mosaic United initiative
(Photo: Israela & Mosaic United)
Eitan and Talia, participants in the delegation, shared their personal motivations and experiences. They come from the tightly-knit Mashhadi Jewish community in New York, where their families—originally immigrants from Mashhad, Iran—helped build a thriving Jewish life in the U.S.
Talia reflected on their roots, saying: “It was really a very big sacrifice in the nefesh (soul) for our parents and grandparents to come, leave their lives behind in Iran, and build a new, thriving Jewish life in America.”
For the couple, the visit to Israel was deeply meaningful. Eitan emphasized the importance of connecting with the land and its people. “We really want to connect with the heart of the Jewish soul and to see the children and the regular people that are here. People like Golan who are all soldiers protecting us…and we’re thinking about them and praying for them.”
5 View gallery
Members of a young Jewish delegation from New York join a special mission to strengthen ties with Israeli communities, volunteering in areas affected by the war as part of a Mosaic United initiative
(Photo: Israela & Mosaic United)
One of the most impactful moments of the trip, according to Vach, was when the group visited communities in northern Israel and the Gaza border region. These areas had endured immense challenges during the war, and the resilience of the residents left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
“To see people that suffered more than 15 months of hard war coming back to their homes, thriving, working the land…and the delegation also participated as some agriculture volunteers…being part of the returning of the people of Israel to the evacuated areas, I think impacted them the most,” Vach explained.
5 View gallery
Members of a young Jewish delegation from New York join a special mission to strengthen ties with Israeli communities, volunteering in areas affected by the war as part of a Mosaic United initiative
(Photo: Israela & Mosaic United)
Eitan and Talia agreed. “The entire week here was impressive and really touched our hearts,” Eitan said. They had the opportunity to volunteer in various capacities, from working in agriculture and packing food to interacting with local families and children. Talia noted how meaningful it was to connect with the people they met, saying, “We got to be part of something that's bigger than just us and the Jews outside of Israel. We felt like we really took part in what's going on here and the building of the nation.”
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Before the interview concluded, Eitan and Talia expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Vach and the IDF. “We’re thinking about you every single day, every single moment. We’re praying for you and everybody who's out there protecting us,” Talia said. “We feel extremely privileged and blessed to have you and the entire IDF really putting everything out on the line for all of us. We appreciate it and we love you.”
5 View gallery
Members of a young Jewish delegation from New York join a special mission to strengthen ties with Israeli communities, volunteering in areas affected by the war as part of a Mosaic United initiative
(Photo: Israela & Mosaic United)
Vach, in turn, praised the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Mosaic United for their dedication to strengthening the bond between Israel and Jewish communities abroad. “I think that the Ministry of Diaspora did something amazing…putting so many resources and efforts to strengthen the connection with Jewish communities…is one of the most important things,” he said before the connection was lost, cutting his words short.
The delegation’s visit underscored the enduring ties between Jewish communities around the world and Israel, a bond strengthened through initiatives like this one. As Vach, Eitan, and Talia demonstrated, these connections are not just about shared heritage but also about shared responsibility, resilience, and a commitment to building a stronger, united future.