Natan Sharansky, left, Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel is welcomed by Masa Israel Journey alums. Photo: David Karp.

More than 700 Jews from South Florida visited Israel through a trip sponsored by the local Jewish federation, the largest such trip in more than a decade.

The group toured the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, commemorated Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) and celebrated Independence Day with Israelis. Participants visited Jerusalem, hiked Masada and listened to speeches from leading figures such as Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

“This mission offers people a meaningful experience where they know they are going to see the sights of Israel in a way that really experiences the power of a community,” said Jacob Solomon, the Miami Jewish federation’s president and CEO, according to the Miami Herald. “In a mega mission, there is the grandeur of seeing 711 participants together expressing their love and solidarity with Israel.”