Reflections from a Transformative Trip to Israel

Originally written by Rabbi Adam Gindea, VP of Program, OneTable

Rabbi Adam (left) clears debris for a local garden

It’s always such a gift to have the opportunity to visit Israel. Going on a service mission trip with Repair the World alongside amazing colleagues all dedicated to a thriving and diverse Jewish future was something very special. Connecting deeply around a shared love of the Jewish people while physically showing up to serve the people and land that express that shared connection was powerful—especially in this moment in Jewish history. The partnership between Repair and Yahel brought us to service locations across Israeli society providing not only meaningful service opportunities, but fascinating perspectives of and windows into complex issues. During our service we learned about opportunities and work happening in Israel to address universal concerns like food insecurity, to more local needs like resiliency centers and programs. Each service opportunity provided deeper insight into the complexities facing the Jewish people, Israel, and the world.

As a Jewish educator and rabbi, I have always felt a deep and strong connection to Israel, what it represents, and what it longs to be. Serving alongside such a service-oriented community reminded me that so much of the service work needed in Israel is addressing universal concerns mirrored in so many places throughout the world. Through the varied opportunities for service addressing universal and local issues in Israel, the trip created an experience that beautifully wove together two key educational points so desperately needed in the Jewish world today; that Judaism stands on the centrality of particularism AND responsibility towards universalism. I very much look forward to continuing the profound conversations about service work, Israel, and the future of the Jewish people sparked by this amazing service trip.