President Harry S. Truman

Julie Stern

By Julie Stern

The most profound take-away from my amazing travel

experiences to Israel is the overwhelming, passionate, and strong sense of connection and love that every single Israeli had to their country. As each individual shared their own unique story there was a common thread present. Their passion and love for Israeli.  It was as if Israel gave birth to them and was a vital part of who they were as individuals, as a community and peoplehood. It was contagious! 

Thank you Israel, Julie Stern, Rubin Israel

Experience 2014 and Wexner Heritage Program 2015-2017

Shary Moulton

By Shary Moulton

My trip to Israel was an educational, emotional and spiritual trip that refilled all my buckets.  Landing at Ben Gurion airport is a feeling like no other.  Although this was my second trip, the first was 30 years ago and I was so excited for a new adventure through the eyes of a mom, wife and community volunteer. This was the adventure of a lifetime.  It was a renewal of spirit shared with women.  We learned, experienced and renewed.  The highlight of the trip for me was Shabbat.  We had lunch with a young Israeli family and learned to appreciate the day of rest.  I have a much stronger connection to Israel as a result of this trip and understand the importance of supporting a strong Jewish state.  I hope to return to Israel soon with my family.

Myron Holtzman

By Myron Holtzman

Our one and only trip to Israel a few years ago more than exceeded our expectations. The spiritual feeling upon our landing at Ben Gurion Airport, the Kotel and its tunnels, visiting the Holocaust Museum and Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem, taking a sobering walk through the Har Herzl Military Cemetery, visiting Ziv Hospital, climbing Masada and taking mud baths and “floating” in the Dead Sea are memories we will always cherish. And, not to be forgotten, was visiting the brave Israeli soldiers’ camp in the Galilee and also sharing the 66^th anniversary of Israel’s statehood by visiting Independence Hall and reliving Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the state.   

Amy Bender Levy

By Amy Bender Levy

I have only traveled to Israel once. It was an amazing experience that changed my life as Jew, as a mother and as a woman. When we landed in Tel Aviv, the fight attendant announced "welcome home/" Though I had yet to step foot onto the soil of Israel, a chill went through me, and I knew what he meant. Israel is our homeland.  We all have different emotions, feelings and connections to Israel which is what makes it such a unique experience to each of us- was able to do a lot of soul searching and personal reflection while in Israel, as to who I am, the impact my Israel experience could have on my family and how I wanted to share that with them. As a working woman, I was fascinated with the other women attorneys I was able to meet with doing similar work as me, yet the legal obstacles were much different. I will never forget walking back to our hotel on Friday evening after Shabbat at the Wall; the streets were silent; there was the most amazing sense of peace over the city of Jerusalem as the entire land was observing Shabbat. Even on the holiest of days in St. Louis, the world goes on around us, making me feel so aware of how few of "us" there are. But there, in our homeland, we are one of the many. And the world around "us" stops for "us." I cannot wait for the day that I get to return to Israel with my children, and watch each of them have their own "ah ha" moment as an American Jew in our homeland.

Lisa Broddon

By Lisa Broddon


One of my most vivid, oldest and favorite memories of Israel is when I was 16 years old. It was the longest plane flight I had been on with a group of kids I barely knew. I went with a BBYO group but only two others were from St. Louis. All of this was so new and exciting but a little tiring and overwhelming too. As we walked down the stairs of the plane and our feet hit the tarmac I felt like there was already much meaning the earth held below me. An elderly Israeli gentleman looked down at me and said, "Smile! You are in Israel!" That statement would resonate with me throughout the trip. On another occasion during the six weeks I was there, a local woman thanked me for coming to Israel. I had been lucky enough to travel to and sight see many US locations and never did a local thank me for coming to visit there. Over and over again you have the feeling of being "Home", of being where you should be, where you are appreciated for your interest of the history and everything Israel offers. I was  blessed to go on a JWRP women's trip in 2013 and as it was very different from my first trip, it was beyond wonderful. Even though I had previously been, several things seemed new and I observed from older, more experienced but also new eyes. I could go on and on about the things I hold dear in my heart about those trips. The ones that often come to mind  are: the sense of community as you see children running and playing in the streets, the bustle of the shuk on Friday afternoon and the sights, smells and tastes that come with that, the sound of other religions being called to prayer several times a day in the old city, the feel of the salty water and cleansing minerals of the dead sea, the beautiful sound of people speaking in Hebrew and the overall, overwhelming feeling that you belong somewhere very special. I dream of when I am able to return.

Marilen Pitler

By Marilen Pitler

My first trip to Israel was in May 1977, with Temple Chai, our synagogue in Long Grove, IL.  Besides many friends, including our rabbi, Floyd Herman, I was with my husband, Jordan, and mother, Mildred Wiley.  For my family, it was our first visit to Israel; especially meaningful for my mother, a recent widow and now traveling with her daughter and son-in-law.

Besides being our first visit to Eretz, there were so many other firsts, paramount among them the 10^th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem and the election of Menachem Begin as Prime Minister.

I will never forget the thrill of sitting on folding chairs in a courtyard in the Old City, just feet away from dignitaries like Jerusalem’s mayor, Teddy Kollek, hearing them speak, feeling the thrill of being in a unified Jerusalem, with fingertips that had touched the ancient the stones of the Western Wall, and then being brought back to reality, looking up and seeing the soldiers sitting on rooftops, with their feet dangling down, holding their Uzis, ready….  The day was calm, our attention brought quickly back to the speakers.

Then, several days later we were in Arad, where we spent the night before climbing Masada.  Some slept, but most of us stayed up, playing backgammon, and listening with rapt attention as our guide translated the radio reports on the prime ministerial election.  Menachem Begin was running for office and won.  For us, we were witnesses to history.  In the early hours of the morning, we began our climb up Masada’s Roman ramp.  As the sun peaked out of the night, we were drawn to a bamah.  We prayed.

We continue praying, Am Yisrael Chai.