As a mom, it is important that my son Jonah achieve special milestones throughout his life. When Jonah was diagnosed with high…
“Purpose of visit?” the Israeli customs agent asked.
“Taglit,” I said, smiling. I was the last person from my UJA Birthright Israel group to head to baggage claim.
As I stared at the young thirtysomething, his eyes lit up with pride, beaming that I was heading into the Holy Land.
“Welcome home,” he said. Upon hearing this, I almost cried.
And so began ten days I will never forget.
This was my first time in Israel as an adult and since the war began, so I didn’t know what to expect. But from the moment I went through customs, to the moment I boarded the plane back from Tel Aviv, the fresh morning breeze and palm trees flowing, I knew I truly was home.
Finding your way back to your roots can be a life-changing experience. Birthright Israel was the culmination of my journey to deepen the connection to my Jewish identity, and a turning point in my spiritual and personal growth.
My father’s family were Jewish immigrants from the Iberian Peninsula. Raised in the Sephardic tradition, my father was deeply connected to his Jewish heritage. After settling down (with my non-Jewish mom) in Southern California, my parents took a more secular approach to my upbringing: though I always felt culturally Jewish, I didn’t attend Hebrew school or have a Bat Mitzvah. As an adult, I sought more Jewish opportunities, attending American Jewish University and becoming a member of Temple Emanuel, Beverly Hills. I’ve always known my neshama, my soul, was Jewish; however, as a non-observant Jew, I didn’t understand our unique covenant on Mt. Sinai, the depth of Jewish holidays, or our profound history.
In early 2024 I gained the opportunity to move cross-country to undertake postgraduate research and complete a master’s program. In grad school I found comfort in our post- October 7th world by volunteering with Jewish organizations, attending services regularly, and beginning Torah study with a (truly awesome) rabbi (Hi, Rabbi Rubin!). In May, I discovered the summer Birthright Israel opportunity in partnership with UJA.
This trip changed everything for me. It wasn’t just about seeing the land; it was about finally understanding the deep history, culture, and why Israel is so vital to the Jewish people. I spent my birthday praying at the Kotel, followed by a beautiful Shabbat dinner and observance at our hotel in Jerusalem. We spend time soaking in the sun in Afula and learning Jewish Education at Yad Vashem and Mt. Herzl. To spend this vital time, with other Birthright participants and our new Israeli friends touring with us, was irreplaceable. And the falafel… Oh, do I love Israeli falafel and Jerusalem bagels!
One of the most meaningful moments (and surprise opportunities!) of my Birthright Israel experience was having a symbolic Bat Mitzvah at Masada. For someone who grew up feeling disconnected from Jewish traditions, it was one of my greatest life experiences. It still feels like a dream: standing in Masada at sunrise to recite Hebrew, give brachas and witness the love and support of other Jews rededicating our lives to G-d and the Jewish people in such a historic place, in our historic land… the memory still leaves me speechless. We became close, and now I have lifelong friends in Israel and the U.S., whom I speak with regularly. By the time the trip ended, I felt a deep, personal connection to Israel and the many people who’ve become part of my Jewish journey.
Coming back to the U.S., I saw how divisive the media’s representation of Israel was. I felt equipped to share the realities of what I had experienced firsthand. Birthright Israel strengthened my connection to Israel, but it also deepened my understanding of myself and my Jewish identity. I now want to dedicate my life to Jewish causes and communities.
One of my biggest dreams is to start a marketplace called Kosherful.com, an e-commerce platform that supports Jewish small businesses worldwide. When I was in Israel, I saw how many small businesses were struggling, especially due to rising antisemitism, with calls to boycott Jewish companies. Kosherful.com would create a space for Jews to support each other by selling Judaica—from mezuzahs to kiddush cups—from Jewish business owners globally. It’s a way to uplift our community at a time when unity is so important.
I’m planning to return to Israel soon to volunteer on a farm with Birthright Israel. None of this would have been possible without the generous donors who make these trips a reality. Supporting Birthright Israel is one of the greatest mitzvahs—allowing young Jews like me to see Israel, to connect with our heritage, and to be transformed.
I’m inspired by the families who donate to Birthright Israel, and I hope to work hard so I can one day do the same.
To those donors, I say: thank you. You’ve given me, and so many others, the gift of connection and belonging. I can’t quantify the incredible impact you’ve made in my life, and the lives of all of us at Birthright Israel, forever.
