Lessons From My Summer in Israel
By Sydney Brown
Last year, when my Onward Israel program went online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I was devastated. That’s why I was so excited to participate in the program this year. I was eager to get back to Israel. Despite the raging pandemic and the threat of war between Israel and Hamas, I landed safely at Ben Gurion airport on June 9th and began my program. My summer in Israel enhanced my appreciation for my Jewish roots and immersed me in the beautiful, complex lives that Israelis live. My experience also encouraged me to see my life from different perspectives, learning from the people of Israel.
Hands down, the highlight of my time in Tel Aviv was my job as a journalism intern for Zavit, an environmental news agency. All of my pieces focused on food sustainability and environmental health, and I felt so fortunate to be at a workplace that challenged and supported me. At Zavit, I experienced the informal, welcoming, and authentic environment that is the Israeli workplace. I had amazing coworkers and a knowledgeable and kind boss, and even had two of my articles published in the Jewish Journal. On my walks home, I called my friends back in America, and many of them mentioned that my experiences surprised them, as Israel is portrayed as a violent, conflict-ridden country. While Israel certainly goes through dark periods of violence and war, there are long stretches of peace, normalcy, beauty, and abundance that I was happy to share through my pictures and videos.
Over my eight weeks in Israel, I took three excursions with Onward Israel, including a very special one to Jerusalem. This trip brought forth spiritual and religious emotions, especially during my time at the Western Wall (the last vestige of the ancient and destroyed Jewish Temple). During my time in the old city, I spoke to a Palestinian man about his experiences living in East Jerusalem as a non-Jewish person. He opened up about his challenges owning a business and providing to the community while not feeling fully accepted. It was important for me to hear an honest conversation, and I’m glad I could ask questions and simply listen.
My second trip was to the Negev desert, where I spent three days connecting with nature. For those days, I lived in a kibbutz-like residence with communal amenities and services, and learned about the interesting life of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister. Ben-Gurion envisioned the desert as a place that was representative of the Jewish journey. He felt it could become a thriving landscape for the Jewish people, since many significant historical Jewish events took place in this same desert. Over time, Israel has converted many parts of the Negev to green spaces, fulfilling Ben-Gurion’s vision.
My third and final trip was to the port city of Haifa, where I explored the city’s diverse neighborhoods and famed Bahai Gardens. The Gardens were stunning, and although it was just a day trip, Haifa had a lasting impact on me.
Sometimes it takes getting out of your comfort zone to see things from a different perspective, and a different point of view can really open up your personal lens. Whether it was my work environment, the hospitality from Israelis throughout the country, or my Jewish pride that evolved through the summer, I left Israel feeling like a stronger, brighter version of myself. I always felt such a strong pull to Israel and an indescribable connection to Judaism, but it was so special to be so far from home and so close to home all at once.
