Reflections from Our Journey to Israel in June 2025

Melton board members and learners recently returned home following a semi-annual board meeting at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and our latest Israel Solidarity trip. The solidarity trip- originally designed to guide participants through Israel's physical and emotional landscape as the nation rebuilds and re-imagines a hopeful future – quickly took a different focus in the wake of the war with Iran erupting in the earliest days of the trip.

What followed, was a Melton Israel Solidarity trip unlike any other we have ever experienced in our years of leading these missions to Israel. Our professional travel educator, Andrea Gardenhour and her Israeli counterpart Hillel Meyer, expertly balanced the need to keep our travelers safe while still providing immersive learning experiences, even amidst unpredictable stretches in bomb shelters. With remarkable emotional support and flexibility, they helped shape a journey that was no less meaningful despite the challenges. On the ground, Bronwyn York and Bracha Spivack delivered logistical support par excellence, ensuring that every detail was handled with care and precision. Incoming Melton Board President, Ruth Hilliard highlighted that "every moment [on this trip] was filled with inspiring speakers, activities, Torah study, and even shopping. Our travel program is like no other and there is not enough praise that can be given for how quickly and expertly our itinerary was modified as circumstances changed."

While it would be impossible to capture every moment of this unforgettable journey, we wanted to share reflections of some of our participants, each offering insight into the key themes that emerged throughout our journey:

Resilience

"So when history descended on us as Israel struck back boldly and took the war to its source, we found ourselves not bystanders but participants in Israel's unfolding story at a momentous time—a time of danger, of uncertainty, but also of inspiring resourcefulness, resilience and spirit."
- Zach N.

"...I do believe I have a better understanding of the tension under which they [Israelis] live every day.I'm glad I was there and got to experience what it is really like. I understand the word solidarity in a different way. And my love for and appreciation of the Israeli people has grown even stronger. The word "resilience" has a new and deeper meaning to me." - Randi B.

Community and Connection

"Alarmed and disoriented as we were as sirens blared in the middle of the night, we rose half asleep from bed and threw on what clothes we could. Tired as we were, there in the Mamad, our reinforced room for safety's sake, we buoyed one another, became an even closer group and strengthened ourselves for the journey ahead with Israel in our hearts forever." - Zach N.

"While we didn't see the "sights" on the trip, we did get to see and speak to Israelis about their current world. I'm reminded of the poem [Tourists by Yehuda Amichai] we read about the gates of the Old City and the person standing outside. We did not see the "gates of the city," but were able to see and speak with the person standing outside. What a great opportunity!" - Bob and Geri N.

Understanding

"She [Michal Hadas Rubin of IMA ERA] said that from the moment of conception you know that your child will serve in the army...She also talked about the implicit contract that the government makes with each Israeli citizen to always act in the country's interest and the betrayal she and others feel when they see the contract broken. I believe it was she who urged us to continue to feel compassion for fallen children and civilians on the enemy side." - Bruce S.

"There were 12 of us in the shelter. These young ladies and an older woman, sitting right next to me, will forever hold a very special place in my memory. I assumed (and as we all know, you should never assume) that the three of them were American tourists, touring in Israel. We got to talking and boy was I wrong. The two girls are Lone Soldiers and their mother was in Israel visiting them. There is a third sister and she is a Lone Soldier as well!!Their mother couldn't have been prouder of her three daughters…she was thrilled that she was with them all and felt safe in Israel just being with them. I still get the chills when I think about this family." - Dena H.

Pride

"I have always considered myself a strong supporter of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state in a region where the vast majority of the surrounding states expelled (and/or made life exceedingly disastrous for) their Jewish citizens, and want Israel eliminated.But before this trip, this was an intellectual determination.This trip added to my commitment.Now, in addition to the intellectual support, this trip has given me an emotional connection to Israel and the Israeli people." - Brooks H.

"As we were in the bomb shelters, instead of despairing, I was realizing that even though we had the strong backing of the US, Jews were the ones defending their fate. It was not luck, the unpredictable whims of others, or historical circumstances that were defending us. We were. We will do what we need to do in order to save ourselves. How wonderful to determine our own fate.I was on the trip to express my solidarity with Israel, but more so to thank Israel for helping all of us to emerge from thousands of years of victimhood and become proud Jews." - Hank T.

Thankfully, and through the collective effort of our Melton staff, travel partners, and friends and family across the globe, every one of our travelers is home safely and from what we have heard and read, better for the experience. Mark Hirsch summed up his experience, saying: "After having spent more than 12 hours at sea on a catamaran from Haifa to Cyprus, at 2:00am the boat's captain summoned me to the bridge. He pointed north where I could clearly see the welcoming bright lights of Cyprus. I then turned to the distant southern sky where I witnessed the haunting vision of missiles being shot down and exploding over Haifa. Although in opposite directions, the juxtaposition of these two images in my mind was overwhelming. I broke down in tears perhaps for the first time in my life for entirely different yet simultaneous reasons. On the one hand, tears of joy at knowing we were a mere hour away from the safety of Cyprus, while on the other hand, crying for the plight of the Israelis we left behind. The lights of Cyprus served as a metaphor for whatever comforts we may enjoy in life while the exploding missiles over Haifa served as a stark reminder that we, as Jews, can never turn away from an unbreakable bond with our brothers and sisters that brings with it a shared history, present and future."

Each of our travelers expressed a similar sentiment at the difficulty of leaving Israel behind, while looking forward to the opportunity to return ... and soon! Ruth Hilliard encapsulated what so many of our participants felt, as she concluded "I left a piece of my heart in Israel when I left and I can't wait to return to become whole again ... Perhaps the most beautiful result of this trip is that our entire group of amazing travelers are now family – we are bound together by this incredible experience and we have Melton to thank for that."

Thank you to this special group of travelers for entrusting us with your safety, embracing change as it came, and demonstrating your own resilience during this most precarious time. We look forward to traveling with you and all members of our Melton community again soon, and of course, we echo the blessing of fellow traveler Bob Kohn, "My hope and prayer for ALL of us is that we speedily and quickly see the immediate return of shalom (peace), tranquility, harmony, and brotherhood to all of our Eretz Yisrael and to all of its peoples, citizens, occupants, and inhabitants."

Am Yisrael Chai