I have just returned from an incredible three weeks on Israel tour with Tribe. Tribe Tour showed me a side of Israel I had never fully experienced before as it revealed the vastness of its natural and cultural landscape and, how, through such beauty, the layers of our deep-rooted history that reside within the stone foundations of the country were enthused with life again.

Every day has been full of activities, from hikes at 5am, to a (very messy) chocolate factory, to the archaeological site of Tsipori, to the Ir David tunnels. Each has been an opportunity to learn, both about Israel and Judaism whilst also having a lot of fun.

Over the course of the immense and unforgettable trip, I also witnessed and was a part of what it means to be Jewish - at its core, Judaism is about “achdut” (solidarity), strengthening and building on the connection that already intertwines every Jew. Joining with a group of American teenagers from NCSY emphasised this further to me. Everyone was from a different background, a different level of religiosity, but we were all united simply by being Jewish. I was surrounded by people my age from across the “the pond”, as well as some Israelis, who were just as dedicated, if not more, in growing in their Judaism. This inspired a desire to seek out answers and ask questions in order to strengthen my own connection with Hashem.

We were privileged to hear from the parents of Maoz Morell, who lost his life whilst fighting for Israel at the beginning of this year. They shared a little bit about who he was and told us that even in the army he continued to learn and work on his ‘middot’ (character). He also wrote poetry, not as poems, but in the form of lists; lists of what he hoped to accomplish and lists of goals. It is in his words of growth that the poetry lies, which I think is particularly inspiring. At Mount Herzl we found his burial place too - a sombre yet meaningful moment, a reminder of the countless sacrifices and the heroes protecting us, but also an insight into the intricacy and nuance of each person who makes up the Jewish people.

After October 7, I was unsure about going to Israel, particularly in terms of safety. My final decision to go and putting my trust in all the organisations involved in allowing our Tour to continue however, was certainly the right one. I quickly realised that we were there not only for a tour, but also to aid Israel, whether it be by simply visiting and showing support or by volunteering on a raspberry farm. In many of the hotels and hostels we stayed, there were also displaced families living there. We felt their despair as well as their displacement. Yet in spite of their current situation, the spirit of Israelis remains strong and unwavering, as their song filled the room on Shabbat as we joined together in “zemirot” (songs).

My trip to Israel with Tribe was much more than a holiday in the sun; it was an empowering three weeks that has altered my outlook on life. The things I have learnt from the tour guide, madrichim and other participants will stay with me and propel me forward in my growth in Judaism.

Thank you to everyone who made sure the trip could go ahead safely and who made my summer incredible!

Ariella Masters was a participant on Tribe’s Israel Tour. Tribe is the young people’s department of the United Synagogue

Nearly one in six participants across all Israel Tours this year were able to take part thanks to UJIA financial support