I’m grateful for the privilege and opportunity provided to me by AIEF (American Israel Education Fund) to travel to Israel for an educational immersion that taught me so much about the country. The presentations covered the entire landscape of history, culture, diversity, business, technology, politics, military, family, art, and religious antiquity to give me a broad and varied spectrum of the nation.
Prior to the trip, I had a limited understanding of Israel’s current issues and challenges. I was familiar with the biblical history of Israel, the Holocaust, and the events of 1948 and 1967. After this trip, I was truly transformed by the physical sites with spiritual connection to scripture, the remarkable stories of resiliency, the obvious parallels with the African American experience in the USA, and the exposure to the composition of what makes Israel special. There were many moments of renewal and awakening that gave my faith a new life. By being able to see the same places and landscapes that the biblical writers saw gave a different strength to my convictions. Our visit to the Yad Vashem and Rabbi Levy’s home for Shabbat are the critical points that brought it all together for me. The vivid display of scripture from these two moments to remember the past events in a way that inspires hope and resiliency gave me an immeasurable joy. I’m actively seeking ways to tangibly display the past in a way that inspires hope in my family, congregation, and community similar to what I experienced in Israel.
I have a renewed inspiration to hope for my community and to remember our history. I have a completely different view of Israel and understand the critical nature of its relationship with the USA. My firsthand experience with the complex issues facing Israel will fuel my prayers and support for Israel in a way that might not have been possible without this experience. I plan to remain involved with the support for Israel and to build a similar movement for my community similar to AIPAC.
-TH
