Traveling to Israel is a BIG DEAL, and we want every teen at Temple Emanu-El to have the opportunity to do so. Israel is one of those “you have to see it to believe it” experiences. Israel is also one of those “you will never be the same” experiences. Today, that dream is now a reality. Through the generous and visionary support of TE congregant, Edwin Schiffer, any teen participating in Confirmation Academy is eligible to join a highly subsidized, 10-day trip to Israel with their TE rabbis.
Nowhere else in the city of Atlanta is a congregation giving their teens thousands of dollars to travel to Israel.
Who is this for? Teens who participate in Confirmation Academy in the 9th AND 10th-grade are eligible to go on this trip. There will be some additional pre-requisites, the details for which will be released in the coming weeks; however, at a minimum, we expect active participation in Confirmation Academy during 9th and 10th-grade, occasional attendance at Friday night services, and participation with TE’s High School youth group, TEFTY.
When is this happening? Beginning in Summer 2023 and continuing bi-annually.
Why are we doing this? This is good for Temple Emanu-El and for the global Jewish community. We know that traveling to Israel leads directly to a stronger Jewish identity; teens who are involved in their synagogue after becoming b’nei mitzvah will remain connected for the rest of their lives; experiencing Israel gives our teens a broader perspective of what being a part of “the Jewish people” means. When we center Israel in our synagogue, we lay the foundation for a Jewish community who stands proudly for Israel: the land, the state, and the people.
