I recently had the opportunity to travel to Israel on an eight-day volunteer mission in partnership with Israel Free Spirit, the Orthodox Union’s Birthright Israel department, during my 10-month fellowship at the OU. Seeing the effects of the October 7 war firsthand strengthened my commitment to serve and advocate for the global Jewish community long after the fellowship ends.
During the trip, we volunteered, met with organizations across the country, and saw firsthand the impact of both the war and the ongoing efforts to support Israeli communities.
Like so many others in the diaspora, I have spent the past two years praying for the return of the hostages and soldiers and for an end to the war.
Being in Israel with the OU Executive Fellowship program along with other OU Headquarters employees and individuals who work on programs, including IVDU, Yachad during this time felt especially meaningful. It gave me the chance to see, up close, both the pain that still exists and the strength that continues to move the country forward.
For the past several months, I’ve been working in the OU’s Human Resources department as part of my fellowship for early career professionals looking to go into Jewish communal leadership. In Israel, hearing the stories of these organizations and meeting the people behind them made everything click, as I recognized their hard work and passion as the same values I strive to bring to my own work every day.
Throughout the eight-day Israel Free Spirit Birthright trip, it became clear that while the war may be over, the need for support has not gone away and there is still so much to be done. Everywhere we went, we met individuals and organizations dedicated to rebuilding, supporting, and uplifting those most impacted.
At the Jordan River Village, we met people who dedicate their lives to children and teens with serious illnesses and disabilities.
Walking through the bright and colorful campus, we were shown the intention behind every detail. Everything from the playgrounds to the swimming pool was designed to be accessible and welcoming so that every child, regardless of ability, could participate and feel included. It was a reminder that sometimes the most important work is creating a space where people feel seen and cared for.
In Jerusalem, we volunteered with Chasdei Naomi, sorting fruits and vegetables into bags for families in need. Working in small groups gave us our first real chance to connect between fellows and non-fellows.
As we stood together in gloves, talking and laughing while sorting produce, conversations shifted from OU work to our personal lives outside the office. As we threw away spoiled fruit and vegetables, there was a shared understanding that we were there for a purpose, and that brought us closer together.
We were a group of young Jewish professionals who care about Israel and about showing up for our community.
That feeling continued on at Just One Chesed in Efrat. Half of us baked pizzas for Miluim families, building and decorating cardboard pizza boxes, singing along to Hebrew music, and getting covered in flour, cheese, and sauce as we made the pies.
The other half made up care packages for new and expecting mothers, filling them with baby items and self-care products. Even though we would never meet the families who would receive the gifts, it felt meaningful to know that something we made would bring support to someone else.
We also toured the new OU Israel office and met employees working in Jerusalem and other cities. Hearing about the impact of the OU’s work in Israel helped me recognize how impactful the organization is both in the US and Israel.
On the second-to-last day, we traveled south to the Gaza Envelope, where the war first began. There, we visited the Salad Trail, which included a tour of agricultural technologies in the Negev, and met its founder, Uri. He shared how his family was directly impacted on October 7, but he also told us the story of how he built the Salad Trail from nothing. When he started, he said there was only sand.
Standing there and hearing how he turned desert into a produce farm, growing what he proudly calls the best fruits and vegetables in Israel, was both moving and impressive. His words were a powerful symbol of resilience, growth, and hope.
The trip brought me closer to my colleagues and allowed me to see them not just as coworkers, but as friends.
As part of the OU’s Executive Fellowship program, this experience reminded me why I am so grateful to be part of such an incredible organization. The fellowship is about more than preparing me for a future career of community leadership. It is about shared values, meaningful relationships, and being part of something bigger than yourself.
This trip strengthened my connection to Israel, the OU, and the people within it. It left me feeling proud, grateful, and even more committed to our work.