A Transformative Trip to Israel

August 2023

By Andy Siegel

I always thought visiting Israel would be a “once” in a lifetime opportunity, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that our recent visit was simply the “first” in a lifetime chance to experience the Jewish homeland.

My wife, Michelle, her mom, and our two teenage daughters, along with 14 other Temple Beth El congregants joined Rabbi Asher Knight and J2 guide Uri Feinberg for a 9-day, jam-packed tour of Israel - replete with history, hilarious Dad Jokes, and hummus. Lots and lots of hummus.

Our diverse touring group featured a 70-year spread between our oldest and youngest visitors, serving to deepen the experience we all shared, seeing Israel through a variety of lenses. For our multi-generational Jewish family to be together in Israel was uniquely special and meaningful - though Michelle and I acknowledged that those who were not with us physically were in our hearts daily.

What struck me most during the trip was the impactful intersection of culture, religion, and history. A visit to Tzfat brought not only a beautiful array of Jewish art and delicacies — but also the unique experience of singing “L’cha Dodi” in the same place where the prayer was composed. The vibrant scene on Tel Aviv beach would rival any in the world, and its significance is magnified knowing that the state of Israel was founded just a short walk away near Independence Trail.

The breathtaking city of Jerusalem, with its spiritual wonderment and complicated past-present-and-future, brought out a wide range of emotions from our group. So much to see. So much to talk about — truly, a Jewish tourist’s dream. We ascended atop Masada, discussed how ancient tropes of antisemitism still manifest today, hiked and experienced fresh waterfalls, floated atop the Dead Sea, witnessed an armed Israeli soldier singing karaoke, shopped for Judaica, and devoured generous portions of falafel. And that was just Thursday.

But a trip to Israel is truly about the people. Like the rabbi who lives in Charlotte but seemingly knows everybody in Israel. Like the small group of congregants who became family after just a few short days. And like the ancestors, in whose footsteps we walked to relive the history where some of the most impactful and important moments in our people’s history took place. I can’t wait to go back!