Israel trip offered an opportunity to experience a nuanced Israel

Every several years the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island invites a group of civic leaders from across our state to travel to Israel. The goals of the trip are to provide a deeper understanding of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, a chance to learn about the global Jewish community, an opportunity to engage with Israeli and Palestinian thought and political leaders and a chance to experience Israel’s vibrant culture and history.

The trip was immense and packed full of experiences, both painful and inspiring, thought-provoking and jarring. As someone who has travelled to Israel many times, I had the unique opportunity to experience Israel with many non-Jewish leaders from our state who were first-time visitors to Israel, as well as learn from speakers and scholars who added to the complexity of this moment both in Israel and for global Jewry.

The participants approached each experience with curiosity and empathy, not shying away from difficult conversations or topics. Participants came from across Rhode Island, in various professional and leadership roles, including elected officials from Newport, Narragansett, Pawtucket and Providence; non-profit and corporate leaders from the Non-Violence Institute and Amica Insurance; state employees; and representatives from the Jewish Alliance Board of Directors and Community Relations Council.

There were many highlights of the trip, including a visit to Roots/Shorashim/Judur in the West Bank, an organization that focuses on solution-oriented approaches to peace and coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. Our hosts, Shaul and Noor, both had difficult personal stories to tell, however, both were able to make space for other narratives, and build upon a mutual vision of land shared by many. Following this visit, the group also went to Bethlehem with a Palestinian guide, not only to visit the Church of the Nativity, but also learn about life in the West Bank from a Palestinian resident.

There were sobering moments as well, including a conversation with Rachel Korazaim, a noted Holocaust scholar, who framed our powerful and emotional visit to Israel’s Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. Although I’ve traveled to Israel since Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, this was my first visit to communities in the south that were affected. The group dedicated a day to visit Netiv Asara, a moshav infiltrated by terrorists on October 7 that lost 20 members. In addition, the group went to the site of the NOVA music festival and met directly with a survivor of the attack.

We experienced a historic opportunity to be in Israel during the release of American-Israeli, Edan Alexander, who was held hostage in Gaza since Oct. 7. For those living in Israel since Oct. 7, 2023, the country’s immense pain began that day and continues as a country and people are forever changed by it. The hostages are a painful and personal reminder for the people of Israel, and every street corner and major building, as well as many homes are adorned in yellow ribbons, images of the hostages and counts of the days they remain in captivity. We were able to join in this movement and speak to families at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, at the same time US Envoy to the Middle East Mark Witkoff, had just arrived to meet with families.

Learning deeply about Jewish culture and the global Jewish community was also a priority of this trip, and participants were able to do so firsthand, including attending Kabbalat Shabbat at the Western Wall on Friday night, among the many sects of Judaism. We also dined at Balinjara in Tel Aviv and spoke with Tashager Araro about the history, emigration and culture of Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community. Our trip concluded with a visit to the ANU Museum of Jewish Peoplehood at Tel Aviv University, which covers the breadth and diversity of the Jewish people, including an exact replica of Newport’s Touro Synagogue as well as other historic synagogues.

Participants also had a chance to learn about Israeli thought through leaders and commentators, including Rhode Island native and Israeli journalist, Allison Kaplan Sommer.

Karen Alzate, who represents Pawtucket and Central Falls, shared, “My trip to Israel was a deeply transformative experience that brought history, faith, and current events vividly to life… At the same time, learning about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from people directly affected on all sides gave me a more nuanced understanding of the region’s complexities and the human cost of division. The journey not only deepened my appreciation for my own beliefs but also challenged me to reflect on the role of empathy, justice, and hope in my spiritual path.”

In this particular moment, rife with division and often lacking human empathy, this trip was a reminder of the importance of personal narratives, nuanced education and individual relationships, and despite how difficult this time may seem, there are many who are open to being partners in this crucial work.

STEPHANIE HAGUE (shague@jewishallianceri.org) is the chief policy officer at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.