My path was clear. As a physical training officer in the IDF, I had my career planned out until the age of 42, leading up to a military pension. But in the summer of 2023, I embarked on a journey that changed everything.
In August, I participated in Birthright as an Israeli participant. The purpose of having Israelis on these trips is to ensure that for American participants, Israel isn’t just a name in a history book or a headline in the news—it’s a country with faces, with people—Ziv, Roee, Itay, and Amit. Through us, they experience Israel firsthand, build real connections, and come to feel that this, too, is their home.
For the American participants, it was a 10-day journey. For us, the Israelis, it was five days of traveling together. When registration opened, I jumped at the opportunity. I saw it as five days of escape from my military routine and a chance to have fun—I had no idea that this trip would mark a turning point in my life’s path.
When the trip ended and we said our goodbyes, everyone returned to their routines—I went back to the army, and they returned to the U.S. But thanks to technology, the connections remained. And then, October 7th happened.
That morning, we Israelis received a flood of messages: “Are you okay?” “What’s happening?” “Are you safe?”—our American friends were in shock, searching for answers. And we? We were in absolute disbelief, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the horror. Some of us were already on the battlefield, others were attending funerals back-to-back, and all of us were overwhelmed with emotions beyond words.
But soon, the conversations deepened. We spoke about what was happening in Israel, about Gaza, about our new reality. Then, they started sharing their own experiences—the loneliness, the abandonment by friends simply for being Jewish, the fear of wearing a Star of David in public or even mentioning Israel on campus.
I was confronted with a stark contrast between two realities:
- In Israel—unity, mutual responsibility, and a strengthening of Jewish and Israeli identity.
- In the diaspora—loneliness, identity struggles, and a sense of alienation.
These conversations shook me to my core. I realized that as a people, we cannot focus only on what happens within Israel—we must also care for Jews around the world, for our brothers and sisters in the diaspora.
This realization led me to a major decision: to leave the army, join Birthright, and apply for the Shlichut through the Jewish Agency. But the message of this article is not just about my personal journey, it’s about the power of connection and firsthand experience.
The value of something isn’t inherent; it’s built through the effort, attention, and actions we dedicate to it. You can study a subject for countless hours in school, but it will never compare to a physical visit, meeting people face-to-face, hearing their stories firsthand, and making emotional connections. When you travel through Israel, meet Israelis, learn about their lives, and see reality with your own eyes, there is no substitute for that.
When I arrived in Nashville, the first thing I wanted to bring to my role was a tangible connection to Israel—not just through education but through action.
Birthright Onward Volunteering, a new 8-day program in which participants come to Israel to help rebuild communities affected by the events of October 7th.
As part of the program, participants will engage in community restoration projects, pack food for those in need, strengthen the sense of security among residents, and transform Israel from just a story they hear about into a place they are truly part of.
I invite you and anyone you know to join us for 8 days of meaningful volunteering with the Nashville community in Israel from June 8-16. Mornings will be spent making a real difference through volunteer work, while evenings offer the chance to immerse yourself in the dynamic energy of Tel Aviv and the unique spirit of Israeli life.
This incredible opportunity is open to Jews aged 18-40, with generous subsidies that reduce the total cost to just $600, which includes flights from Nashville to New York and onward to Israel. Spots are limited, so make sure to register before March.
Come join us, volunteer, and reconnect—not just with our brothers and sisters in Israel, but also with the heart of our shared Jewish community.
For more details, visit our website or reach out to ziv@jewishnashville.org.
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