by Isaac Cohen
David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel, said “Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.” My name is Isaac Cohen. I’m 16, and have belonged to Temple Shalom my whole life. Thanks to the opportunity provided by The Jewish Federation of Arkansas Thalheimer Israel Scholarship, along with other scholarships and grants, I traveled to Israel with the NFTY in Israel program this summer. This program allows Jewish teens from North America to travel to Israel on a group trip. During my month in Israel, I explored the country and its Reform community. My time in Israel greatly changed my views on three things: my Jewish identity, my perspective on the world outside the US, and how I see myself in the world.
I’ve practiced Reform Judaism all my life, and I thought I had a clear understanding of it. My time in Israel changed that understanding. A major part of the trip was in the Negev Desert. We slept under the stars and hiked the mountains for three days, ending on our first Shabbat together. I was tired and homesick, but when we began services, I felt like I was back in my own synagogue. The singing and dancing during Havdalah especially cemented that feeling. I realized the importance of the tradition and how I felt more connected to my new friends and the land during that moment. Returning from this trip, I plan to take part in more services with my community with a stronger connection to the ritual.
For most of my life, I’ve lived in Fayetteville with no extended family nearby. Even leaving the state seemed like a major trip, so traveling halfway across the world was a massive step out of my comfort zone. The trip to Israel gave me plenty of time to look at the United States from a new angle and learn to both appreciate what I have at home and what I could learn in my new environment. The diversity of ethnicity, languages and everyday life across Israel really made me think of the diversity I had not experienced at home. I felt like I didn’t know enough about my own community. I discovered that I wanted to meet new people, experience new cultures and foods, and find my own place in my community. Now that I’m home, I see things from a new perspective. I notice the diversity among the people here and the opportunities in this town, and I’m excited to re-explore it all.
I was forced to step out of my comfort zone on this trip. I didn’t know anyone in the group, so I had to meet people and make connections. It was scary and hard, but I made a great circle of friends I will have for the rest of my life. Breaking out of my shell in that situation showed me it was possible and worth the effort and boosted my self-confidence. I made good connections with my counselors, and the group felt like a second family. I’m going to continue to open up to people in my various communities
My time in Israel was life changing. I found a new passion for Jewish community and a connection to Israel. David Ben-Gurion was right. I experienced many very real miracles in a very real journey of a lifetime this summer to the land of Israel. To the Jewish Federation of Arkansas, I say Todah Rabah!