My Most Memorable Experience

By Simeon Richardson, NFTY in Israel Participant, Bus 4

My time in Israel has been without a doubt the best experience in my life. If I were to pick one experience that was the most memorable, I would choose the visit to the Western Wall. I’m not a spiritual person at all, but this experience was truly the most I’ve ever felt connected to Judaism and for once in my life, I felt truly connected to the Jewish community. I can’t wait to continue exploring Israel and learning more about this culture that I have been told about my whole life.

The day started off like any other day with the whole group learning about some part of Jewish history. On this day, we learned about the history of four different groups: the Sadducees, the Pharisees, the Essenes and the Zealots. Each of these groups had chosen to either adapt, ignore, fight against, or adopt the Roman traditions. We learned about who built the first and second temples as well as how they got destroyed. Our counselors did a great job of tying the history into our experience at the Western Wall, were very helpful with any questions we had and were really engaged. They also helped me to gain a better understanding of history and how everything we have learned in religious school is connected and important. We had the choice to write our message to put in the wall either the day before or at the wall, so I decided to write mine when I was at the wall. As soon as everyone had changed, I could tell there was something different about the group. There was a quiet atmosphere which had an air of importance that hadn’t been there previously. All the girls had on dresses or long skirts and all the boys had on their kippahs. My hands were sweaty, knees were weak, my kippah wouldn’t stay on, yet the Western Wall was perfect. My expectations of the wall were blown out of the water by what I experienced.

The whole area before the Western Wall was filled with people milling around. However, as I got closer and closer, I noticed a silence permeate the atmosphere. This was the first moment I realized how important the wall was for so many people. I finally realized, for the first time, how important religion was for so many people and it moved me. All of my religious school education, including my Bar Mitzvah and confirmation, was so worth it to get to this moment. What was amazing to me was how many people were pouring their hearts out to the wall. I’ve never seen so many people in one place be that sincere and honest with themselves. These few things brought me to a simple realization: whether I like it or not, Judaism and the people connected to it will always be a part of my identity, because Judaism has shown me what a good person is and the power of community. I hope you find a day to visit the wall and that it will change you even a fraction of the amount it changed me.

Notes from Rabbi Erin Mason

Notes from Rabbi Erin Mason

We are re-sharing this blog post written by Rabbi Erin Mason, Director of URJ Greene Family Camp, who recently traveled on FJC’s (Federation for Jewish Camp) Camp Professionals Israel Mission.   In mid-February, I participated in a mission with the Foundation for...

read more
Three Months I Will Never Forget

Three Months I Will Never Forget

By: Alyssa Kruman, Summer 2023 Madricha, Camp Harlam Bus 15 Summer 2023 was three months that I will never forget. There was nothing more rewarding than being by the side of Jewish teens experiencing the most special place for the first time. Each day brought new...

read more
Reflections from my trip to Israel

Reflections from my trip to Israel

We are re-sharing this blog post written by Rabbi Ilana Mills, Director of URJ Camp Kalsman, who recently traveled on FJC's (Federation for Jewish Camp) Camp Professionals Israel Mission. By: Rabbi Ilana Mills, Camp Kalsman Director When I stand with a wedding couple...

read more
Two Simple Words

Two Simple Words

By Erica Barish, former Assistant Director of Yallah! Israel                                                                                                     ***We are resharing this blog from the past, written by former Assistant Director Erica Barish. Emphasizing...

read more
Being Active in a Time of War

Being Active in a Time of War

By: Judy Goldstein, Associate Director of Camper Care One of the big questions (with answers) we have these days in Israeli society is how to maximize our personal and social resilience during this time of our “emergency routine” here in Israel. If you come to Israel...

read more