Reflections from a Trip Leader

Thank you to Israel Outdoors leader Jonah Weisel for sharing his reflections from his trip. Looking back, the defining moment for me occurred on the second to last day of the trip, during our visit to the Kotel. A student, who had the least connection to Judaism, began the trip by making fun of certain…

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Remembering the Holocaust

Today, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, alumna Alexandra B. talks about how her experience on a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with Israel Outdoors this past winter helped her connect with her ancestors who were victims of the Holocaust. I grew up knowing nothing about my Jewish ancestors, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to…

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Letter from a Future Staffer

Two weeks ago, a letter from 12 time veteran Israel Outdoors staffer Aviva Klompas was published in the Jerusalem Post. Avi A. was a participant on Aviva’s most recent trip and sent us the following letter as a response.  Thanks for sharing Avi! To whom it may concern. Aviva Klompas, one of our staff members…

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Throwback Thursday: Somewhere I Never Expected to Be

Ilana W. traveled on a free Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with Israel Outdoors in January of 2014.  Ilana wrote the following blog post reflecting on her trip to mark her one year anniversary of her trip.  Thanks for sharing Ilana! I wasn’t going to let the month slip away without recognizing that January 2015 marks the…

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Beyond ‘Jappy’: Reconsidering Jewish on Birthright

Stephanie Zidel participated in a free Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with Israel Outdoors in August of 2014.  Below she describes her experience on the trip, and the assumptions she made: I almost didn’t take my Birthright trip. For many years, I did not want to. However, last February, when they were accepting applications for the coming…

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Learning That I Belong

Kristina Harris participated in a free Taglit-Birthright Israel Trip with Israel Outdoors in the summer of 2013 on group TL-28-184. In December of 2013, the following article written by Kristina was published on JUF News. In this article, Kristina talks about her experience traveling as a Jew by Choice on the Israel Outdoors trip, including…

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How Israel Outdoors Changed His Life

Nathan Colbert participated in an Israel by Foot trip with Israel Outdoors this past summer and was recently published in the online newspaper Times of Israel.  On the site, he talks about how his Israel Outdoors trip was incredibly meaningful. During July of 2014, I went on my once in a lifetime trip to Israel…

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Friday Night in Jerusalem

Avram Mlotek recently staffed an Israel Outdoors trip in partnership with City University of New York (CUNY) Hillel.  The following excerpt, reflecting on Avram’s group’s experience in a Moishe House in Jerusalem was published in the Jewish Week. It’s Friday evening. The sun has set and the streets are empty. “We’re not in Kansas anymore,”…

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Schwarma Drama: One Participant’s Travel Blog

Rachel B. recently returned from a free Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with Israel Outdoors.  Below she shares with us the blog she kept while traveling.  Thanks for sharing Rachel! Our trip was abounding with hikes, heat, and history (wonderfully brought to life for us by our brilliant and patient tour guide Veronika Lacktman). The very first…

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Day 4: Camels, and Coffee, and Goats Oh My!

  Alumna Rachel Lehrman attended a trip to Israel with Israel Outdoors this past January.  While on the trip she kept a blog recording her thoughts about the trip.  Below we share day 4 of her trip.  To see other posts from her trip check out Rachel’s blog.  January 13, 2014 – Day 4 This…

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