My First Visit to Israel: Touched by the Wall, Transformed by the Land

Hadassah Evolve Fellows Monica Levy, Elana Margolis, Patricia Hasson, Dr. Deborah Villanueva, Fara Kluger, Lauren Matles, Loren Ward, Nancy Moss, Debbie Trachtenberg, Lisa Shatzkin, Francine Ephraim. Photo courtesy of the author.

(Pictured left to Right:) Nancy Moss, Barbara Sofer, Monica Levy, Dr. Deborah Villanueva, Lisa Shatzkin. Photo courtesy of the author.

(Pictured Left to Right:) Monica Levy, Dr. Deborah Villanueva, Lisa Shatzkin, Nancy Moss. Photo courtesy of the author.

It’s hard to explain how the air itself feels different when you step onto Israeli soil for the very first time. Arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, I felt my neshamah (my breath) dance as I experienced a sense of belonging that transcended familiarity. My soul recognized its home and I knew, from that very moment, that my journey with the Hadassah Evolve Immersive Experience would be one of deep connection, discovery and purpose.

Our trip began in Tel Aviv, a city with a calm yet vibrant energy that’s impossible to ignore. Standing at the edge of the ocean, I felt the waves’ quiet invitation to embrace adventure. Our time in Tel Aviv was more than just about experiencing its beauty and spirit; it was also about bonding with my fellow Evolve Hadassah women. As we walked along the oceanfront, taking in the salty air and shimmering sea, we shared our hopes, our gratitude and the joy of experiencing Israel together. There was a lightness, a sense of sisterhood so genuine that it felt as if our souls were dancing together. That moment of pure connection was to become one of my most cherished  memories of the entire journey.

Tel Aviv is also the home of raw Israeli grief and resilience. Hostage Square is both a place of mourning and a testament to Israeli unity, where pain and hope intertwine. Our time there was a reminder that, for all its vibrancy, Israel carries deep, open wounds.

Our group of courageous Evolve Hadassah women shared this transformative experience with passion, strength and dedication, making this mission all the more meaningful. Together, as we bore witness to Israel’s challenges and triumphs, we deepened our connection not only to the land but to one another.

Traveling north to Haifa and Rosh Pinna, I was humbled by Gadi, a man who has made it his mission to care for soldiers at the frontlines. His humility and determination were unmatched.

In the northern Israeli town of Shlomi, we cleaned bomb shelters, reclaiming spaces long left untouched. Rebuilding is not just about implementing policies; it’s about small, steady acts of compassion that knit a community back together. Healing begins from the ground up.

The duality of joy and heartbreak in Israel echoed through our visit to Hadassah’s Meir Shfeya Youth Aliyah Village. Young people, many who had faced unimaginable loss, welcomed us with song, dance and warmth. Their resilience was not something they spoke of; it was something they lived. Watching them nurture crops, craft robotics and build their future was like witnessing hope take root in real time. Pain can break the spirit, but determination rebuilds it stronger.

Being in Jerusalem was the culmination of a dream. As I stood overlooking the Old City, I recited Shehecheyanu (the traditional Jewish prayer of thanks for reaching a moment in time). The words poured from my lips with gratitude so fierce that they left me breathless. The blessing of simply being there, of standing on this sacred land that pulses with history, faith and complexity, was not lost on me.

My visit to the Hadassah Medical Organization’s two hospitals in Jerusalem provided more moments of awe. Hearing about the medical miracles performed daily, seeing the names of countless donors lining the walls — including those of my own Keepers of the Gate family – reminded me that our next generation embraces the sacred responsibility to continue Hadassah’s mission. I know we will uphold this legacy for generations to come, honoring the past by investing in the future.

While every step I took within those hallowed halls was a testament to compassion and dedication, one particular encounter left a profound impact on me. Meeting Dr. Shiri Ben-David, the chief psychologist at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem, and learning how she supports patients who are struggling with extreme trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, was both humbling and inspiring. As a mental health professional dedicated to helping individuals overcome trauma, I felt a deep sense of connection. Her trauma-informed approach within the hospital setting mirrors my dedication to healing and our shared mission.

In my work, I strive to create healing spaces where those grappling with trauma can rebuild their lives. Whether it’s supporting families in high-risk environments, empowering parents to nurture their children, or guiding individuals through emotional distress, the work of healing is universal. Seeing how Hadassah integrates psychological support within its medical framework affirmed for me the value of comprehensive, compassionate care. Healing knows no boundaries and witnessing its application in Israel — a place where resilience is a daily act of courage– was powerful.

However, nothing prepared me for my visit to the Western Wall, the Kotel. As I gently placed my hand upon its cool, timeworn stones, I felt something indescribable. It was as if I had become one with the wall itself. Time unraveled and I was transported to a place where the boundaries between the earthly and the divine dissolved. I felt enveloped by the presence of our Creator, held in a sublime stillness that brought clarity and peace. My soul intertwined with the prayers of generations, held by something far greater than myself.

Yet, beyond the history and spirituality, it is Israel’s people who truly anchor my soul to this place. Those who have lived through tragedy and continue to choose love over despair. Those who rebuild, despite unimaginable loss. From the Nova Music Festival site, where prayers for over 350 young lives lost rose into the air, to the Path to Peace Wall in Netiv HaAsara, covered in mosaics of hope and harmony, Israel speaks most powerfully through the actions of its people.

This is a land where resilience grows like the red anemones that dot the landscape. Where healing begins, not just with rebuilding, but with being seen, heard and understood. Israel’s strength is not merely found in its infrastructure but in its people whose spirit refuses to be broken, even when the world around them crumbles.

As our journey concluded with laughter, tears and heartfelt conversation over one last dinner, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming gratitude. For this land. For the people. And for the chance to carry their stories forward, stitched into my own.

This was more than a trip. It was a homecoming.

Deborah is a member of the Hadassah Writers’ Circle, a dynamic and diverse writing group for leaders and members to express their thoughts and feelings about all the things Hadassah does to make the world a better place. It’s where they celebrate their personal Hadassah journeys and share their Jewish values, family traditions and interpretations of Jewish texts. Since 2019, the Hadassah Writers’ Circle has published nearly 500 columns in The Times of Israel Blogs and other Jewish media outlets. Interested? Please contact hwc@hadassah.org.

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