An experience like a Birthright Israel trip is hard to articulate. It was transformative, to say the least, especially during our visit to a country grappling with the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. In retrospect, I wouldn’t have chosen a different time to go.
Witnessing the beauty of Israel in the wake of such horror allowed us to experience firsthand the incredible resilience of its people. I hadn’t visited Israel since my bar mitzvah in 2013, and for many of my fellow travelers, it was their first time. Yet the moment my flight from Toronto landed in Tel Aviv, the unfamiliar city felt like home, and strangers quickly became family.
There was something unexplainable in the air during our trip—an energy so profound that it enveloped us, leaving us unable to fully articulate its essence. Looking back, I believe this feeling stemmed from standing on historic land filled with our ancestors’ stories, witnessing the miraculous existence of modern-day Israel, and immersing ourselves in an environment that encouraged purposeful self-reflection and genuine human connection.
Hands down, the most transformative aspect of the trip was the opportunity to engage with Israelis. If you want to gain valuable life lessons, speak to them. If you want to understand the true meaning of bravery, they are your best teachers. Shockingly, despite having endured the unimaginable just months before our arrival, Israelis imparted powerful lessons about optimism. You learn that as much as we think about what Israelis have to go through, they are thinking of us across the world who have been facing our own unique set of challenges this year. This realization reinforced the deep connections that transcend borders between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.
It may sound contradictory to say that the trip turned out to be one of the best weeks of my life while simultaneously being an emotional rollercoaster. One moment I found myself floating in the Dead Sea, enjoying the tranquility, and the next I was at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, confronting the stark horrors of the Holocaust. One minute we were dancing in celebration, and the next we were hearing heart-wrenching stories from a Nova music festival survivor, reflecting on those who lost their lives in pursuit of happiness. The contrast was striking: laughing with young Israelis in the IDF one moment and mourning the young soldiers who had perished just this year at Mount Herzl the next.
This whirlwind of experiences was intensified by the bonds we formed within our cohort, which made the trip even more meaningful. We grew together through this concentrated week of emotional intensity, sharing not only joy but also sorrow and reflection. The hardest part, without a doubt, was saying goodbye. However, it is reassuring to know that we have a second home to return to and that future generations of young Jewish individuals will soon breathe in that same unexplainable air, experiencing the magic that I did on my Birthright trip.
Birthright Israel is more than just a journey to a physical location; it is a pilgrimage to our roots, an opportunity to engage with our heritage and a chance to understand the complexities of the Israeli experience. It forces you to confront difficult realities while simultaneously embracing the beauty and resilience of the people. This duality—the joy and the pain, the past and the present—serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in community and connection.
As I reflect on this experience, I realize that Birthright is not just a trip; it’s a catalyst for personal and communal growth. It invites us to grapple with our identity as Jews, both in Israel and around the world, and to acknowledge the shared history that binds us. Each individual’s journey may be unique, but the overarching themes of resilience, hope and unity resonate deeply within us all.
In a world filled with uncertainty and division, experiences like this are vital. They remind us of our collective strength, the importance of connection and the enduring spirit of the Israeli people. I left the country with a renewed sense of purpose—eager to share my experience and encourage others to embark on this transformative journey. Birthright is not merely a rite of passage; it is an invitation to embrace our heritage, reflect on our challenges and celebrate the extraordinary resilience that defines us.
