Fourteen girls, 12 mums and a grandma enjoyed “the most amazing bonding experience” on a half-term visit to Israel with British Emunah.

The charity’s mother and daughter Israel trip, run for the first time since 2019, began at the President’s Residence, where the group was given a private tour, followed by a meeting with First Lady Michal Herzog.

Mrs Herzog spoke about the longstanding connection between the Herzog family and Emunah, explaining that the President’s grandmother, Sarah Herzog, was instrumental in the founding of the organisation.

The group also visited a number of Emunah’s day centres, schools and residential homes, which support some of Israel’s most vulnerable children and families.

Girls on the trip got to know children in Emunah’s care through challah baking, playing games, arts and crafts and recording TikTok videos.

The five-day programme also included visits to Jerusalem’s Old City, the Beit Guvrin caves, museums and Mount Herzl, the site of Israel’s national cemetery.

Joanna Lipman, who took part with daughter Talya, said that as well as the bonding aspect, “we saw the phenomenal projects that Emunah helps and the many disadvantaged children and families they look after and cherish. The tour was thought-provoking and filled with warmth.”

Marlene Binder, who joined granddaughter Mia, described the experience as “inspirational and fulfilling. We made precious memories which we will hold in our hearts.

“As part of Mia’s batmitzvah, over the coming months she has chosen to fundraise for British Emunah to help improve the bedrooms of the girls of her age who she met in Afula.”

British Emunah director Sharon Dewinter and co-vice-chair Sara Greenfield accompanied the group.

Ms Dewinter said it had been “exhilarating to watch the mothers and daughters become even closer during this trip.

“For me, the highlight was seeing the interaction between the children in our care and the girls. Emunah helps vulnerable children rebuild their lives by instilling in them a sense of worth and self-belief and these visits show them that someone out there in the world cares enough to come and spend time with them.”