The St. Paul Jewish Federation is offering a trip to Israel from October 14-22, subsidized by Birthright Israel and The Jewish Agency for Israel. This trip will combine volunteering and education for $975 per person, which includes airfare, hotels in Israel, and other amenities.
According to the St. Paul Jewish Federation CEO, David Kaplan, this trip will deepen connections between the St. Paul Jewish community and Israel, something many have been looking for following the October 7th attacks.
“To be able to offer something that can bring people together, build connection, and build community for them is so important at a time when Jews need that community,” Kaplan said.
Participants of the trip will spend Shabbat in Jerusalem, visit southern communities impacted by the October 7th attacks, and volunteer with local agricultural organizations in St. Paul’s Partnership2Gether region near the Sea of Galilee.
“It’s tourism with volunteerism,” said Kaplan. “A lot of trips are one or the other, and this is both.”
Originally, the trip had space for 20 participants; with the help of Birthright, it has since been expanded to 30 spots. The St. Paul Jewish Federation has already received 60 applications. Kaplan explained that 24 of the applicants have never been to Israel, with many others not visiting in decades.
Kaplan said that “to not go to the Gaza envelope, to not hear the stories and see the places and take that in would be a disservice.”
Tal Dror Rouache, the Director of Israel Programs for the St. Paul Jewish Federation, echoed this sentiment.
“October 7 is now part of our shared Jewish story,” she said. “Many people feel a deep need to visit these communities, stand in solidarity with them, and better understand what happened.”
The strong response from the community has already created discussion about future trips.
Ultimately, trip organizers hope that participants will return with stronger connections to Israel and the Jewish community.
“More than anything, I hope participants leave with a personal connection to Israel and to the people they meet there,” Tal said. “I hope that participants return feeling a stronger sense of belonging, connection, and responsibility to the Jewish people and to Israel.”
Applications for this trip are due June 30. They are looking for participants who are 21 or older and live, work, or worship in the St. Paul Jewish Federation service area. Preference will be given to those who have never visited or have not been in more than 10 years.