This summer, local teen Gabe Melson went on a meaningful and inspiring journey to Israel through the Ramah Israel Seminar, supported by the Shaol & Evelyn Pozez Endowment Fund held at the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.
קום והתהלך בארץ
בראשית יג:יז
There is a verse in Bereshit, “Rise and go throughout the land (of Israel). These are the instructions Abraham receives, and it is one of the verses that starts the cascade of events that comprises the Jewish story. The reason we have to physically rise up and go to the land of Israel is that it is the best way to gain a real connection. Israeli schools, for the most part, intuitively understand this, which is why many have instituted class trips throughout the land of Israel to strengthen their students’ connection to the land. If you don’t know what the land is like, it is harder (although not impossible) to build an attachment.
I was fortunate enough to have gotten the opportunity to rise myself and go throughout the land. I had a trip planned under the auspices of the Ramah program. It was an educational trip designed with a primary purpose: connecting young Jews from the diaspora to the land. It was canceled during the Iran War, but after the ceasefire was signed, they almost immediately relaunched it. In line with this verse from Bereshit, a key component of the trip was hiking through Israel. We hiked in the north, completed a significant portion of the Yam L’Yam trail, explored Jerusalem, trekked through Hezekiah’s tunnels, hiked in the Gush Etzion area, and hiked at the southernmost point of the country, Eilat. I think the goal of these hikes was achieved for everyone: connecting us with the land of Israel, a land that we have now been fortunate enough to have seen and experienced firsthand.
There is also a slightly less physical way of “going throughout the land.” We had an incredible opportunity to visit the National Library in Jerusalem and walk within it. The building is constructed out of the typical Jerusalem-style brick, but in a modern style that is apparent on the exterior and even more so once you go inside. It has only been open for two years, but it is expansive in design and in the literary works it houses. We were given an assignment by the tour guide: ask the average Israeli in the library about their thoughts on certain contentious issues. It was a slight culture shock to see how quickly and openly people would delve into their views on these issues, but it was very rewarding for my own education. We went on to talk to people with all sorts of different perspectives throughout the trip. I don’t care about variety for variety’s sake, so one of the most meaningful parts of the trip for me was hearing from people who lived in the land, as it highlighted the importance of their experiences.
I also want to touch on the interpersonal relationships established during the trip. I got to know other American Jews and their personal worlds better through this experience. We came from many different backgrounds. I also gained connections to Israelis who were on the trip. I never got bored of hearing about their day-to-day lives in the Jewish State. To see kids my age who lived in such a Jewish world and had it pervade their experiences, tint their outlook, and strengthen their values was a cause for jealousy. It reminded me that the Jewish State is a miracle not just from a historical perspective but also for every Jew living in the diaspora and even more so for those living in Israel.
