The past 10 days in Israel have been full of surprises and it has truly been the experience of a lifetime. For me, after working for the JCC for 4+ years, Israel was still a mystical unicorn of sorts before this trip. I had minimal connection to it, and didn't fully understand the connection our members, my clients, even some of our staff felt. I paid attention to politics, current events, and listened attentively when members and clients would tell me their stories about their own experiences in/with/about Israel, but it never felt real or relevant to me, there was never a connection, any particular FEELING (there's that word again!) Associated with it for me.
Today I can tell you that Israel is a living, breathing, feeling, tangible being, that I feel a direct and meaningful connection with. This is something I never would have gained without this trip, which had a packed itinerary carefully organized down to the tiniest minutia. The timing of our visits to particular places - to the Golan Heights, to the Kotel, to Yad Vashem, to the Rabin museum in the transition from Yom Hazikaron to Yom Ha'atzmaut, all the way through our visit to Independence Hall in Tel Aviv in Israeli Independence Day - was impeccable and had an immense effect on the depth with which I was (we all were) able to experience and absorb Israel. Over the past 10 days I've had the opportunity to learn, to listen, to witness, to participate, to speak up, to passionately discuss, to experience Israel, Judaism, and connection with colleagues, and to create and experience moments of my own connection to all of the history and emotions included when I hear "Israel".
This trip (and its expert guiding) has given me a perspective, a version of Israel that is more well rounded and true to the heart of it than anything I could have gained outside of it.
I chatted yesterday with a woman who had helped to prepare our barbecue about her home near Gaza, and seeing the love for the place in her eyes as she talked about its beauty and her sadness in leaving it to move to a safer neighborhood near Jaffa during the war last summer. Her description of her previous home, and her sadness at having to leave to protect her children was incredibly touching. I loved hearing first hand personal stories from our guides and their feelings about Israel, Tel Aviv, the American perspective (or really that of anyone outside of the state of Israel who hasn't experienced it in its most raw form). The immense love they feel for this place, their willingness to be here, to live in the present (even when it isn't pretty or easy), because of their connection to this Jewish State in the land of Israel - it is inspiring, courageous, and absolutely speaks to the connection that being in Israel gives you to the land.
I leave Israel feeling grateful, with more questions than answers, bursting with excitement to learn more, and ready to share my experience in as many ways possible with family, friends, and our team at the JCC.
Shalom Israel!