Before leaving for Israel with 27 of our Temple Emanu-El teens (TE’s inaugural, post-Confirmation class, Schiffer Teen Israel trip), more than a few people good-naturedly questioned my sanity.
“Are you sure that you want to do this?” they would ask. And when I assured them that I did, they would (half-seriously) follow up with a very frank, “Why”?
The short answer is that I am absolutely sure that the single best thing to deepen, cement, and connect to a tremendously positive Jewish identity is this type of trip. It is the type of experience that begins to define who a person is at their core.
Not just any trip to Israel, but one that has been carefully crafted to allow participants to bond with the land and her people, with their congregation and their peers, with their rabbi, and with their Judaism.
And the timing…the timing can not be understated. This type of trip is most effective before they go off to college, and to travel with the institution that they (and their family) so very much trust...
Although the teens knew each other from Confirmation class, it was awesome to watch deep friendships form quickly, and I personally cherished my time with each and every one of them.
It was incredible to watch them experience the “greatest Jewish experiment of all time”, to walk in the footsteps of our history, to wrestle with the diversity and realities that Israel (as a nation) itself struggles with… and to see them do it with humility, and laughter, and the natural curiosity that makes this age so very precious.
Upon my return, I shared with Rabbi Max and Rabbi Rachael, that this trip was, perhaps, the most profound rabbinic experience in all of my years of being a rabbi.
We are still gathering testimonials from the participants, and their parents, so that we can share their words with you, as we gear up for the next trip (anticipated June of ’25).
I will share that a huge percentage of the teens were already speaking about how to return to Israel again (study abroad, a trip with their family, internships) before we were halfway through our trip. That says a ton.
Tomorrow night at Shabbat services, I’m happy to share a few of the stories and their profound impact on our adventurers. I’ll also share some thoughts on why I have been so personally affected, and inspired, to continue with this type of project.
This trip was amazing for each teen who traveled with us, and I have no doubt that it will be a cornerstone for their continued Jewish identity and a gift that will benefit of the Jewish people.
We are blessed.
B’shalom/In peace,
-S
