There are moments when traveling to Israel is about seeing the land. And then there are moments—like this one—when going to Israel is about being present.
This coming October 21–28, 2026, I will be leading a congregational journey to Israel, and I hope you will consider joining me. This will not be a “check-the-boxes” trip. It will be a
pilgrimage of learning, listening, memory, and connection—to Israel, to one another, and to our own Jewish story.
We will walk through Jerusalem—ancient and modern—welcoming Shabbat together in the city that has shaped Jewish longing for generations. We will engage deeply with the moral and emotional complexities of Israel today, including conversations about shared society, the aftermath of October 7, and the realities faced by Israelis and Palestinians alike. We will meet
educators, journalists, and bridge-builders; volunteer where help is needed; and create space for reflection, prayer, and honest conversation.
We will also experience Israel’s extraordinary vibrancy—Tel Aviv’s creativity and culture, food and music, art and innovation—alongside moments of profound remembrance and responsibility.
This journey is designed to hold joy and grief, pride and pain, hope and heartbreak, all at the same time—because that is what loving Israel honestly often requires.
For those who want to deepen the experience even further, there is an optional pre-trip extension beginning October 18, which includes time in Tel Aviv-Jaffa and an expanded exploration of Jerusalem before connecting with the main group. This pre-trip offers a gentler landing, additional learning, and more space to acclimate—both physically and spiritually.
Traveling as a congregation matters. We won’t just be seeing Israel—we’ll be processing it together, asking questions together, and carrying the experience home together. I believe this journey will shape how we understand Israel, how we talk about it, and how we live our Jewish values long after we return.
More details—including the full itinerary—are available, and informational sessions will be announced soon. If Israel has been on your heart, if you’ve been longing to go but unsure how or when, or if you feel called to bear witness in this moment, I invite you to take this step with me.
Click here for more information.
Let’s go together.
— Rabbi Philip Bazeley
