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Jan 20, 2025, 1:20 AM

Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonen

As I sit in my comfortable El AL airplane seat, counting down the hours of my arrival to my second home, Israel, it is also hours from the release of the first three hostages, Romi, Emily and Doron. For...

Oct 7, 2024, 8:07 PM

October 8th – The Day After October 7th

Young Judaea Year Courser looking at the sunset.

Although we are still processing all that occurred on October 7th and the significance of that day, it is clear we are living in a “before” and “after” October 7th. We must mark the liminality of that day. When the...

Apr 26, 2024, 8:04 PM

Are Our Youth Leading or Are They Being Led?

As a true believer in youth empowerment and leader of a Zionist youth movement, I’ve struggled with several weighty questions over the past few days while watching the encampments on college campuses across the country. Should there be limits to...

Apr 21, 2024, 2:01 AM

Dayenu: A reflection

I wanted to return the Jewish People to the means of production like I learned in my Zionist youth movement, Young Judaea: the imperative from Ber Borochov and socialist Zionism to make the desert bloom, as illustrated in the...

Apr 11, 2024, 7:40 AM

Take a Gap Year to Israel Now? Convince me!

Illustrative. Israel Programs from Young Judaea. (courtesy, Young Judaea)

There are great reasons to consider taking a gap year to Israel right now. Consider these as you and your teen contemplate how to spend your time this coming Fall. The “Zionism” argument Being a Zionist right now in North America...

Rachel Plafker Esrig

Feb 13, 2024, 7:06 PM

Like so many connected Diaspora Jews the day after the Hamas attack, my husband Dave and I were desperate to go to Israel. We threw money at every plea for funds, every letter, every WhatsApp message, quickly maxing out...

Feb 6, 2024, 6:43 PM

Beyachad Nenatzeach – Together we will prevail

Young Judaea Alumni Volunteers in front of Achim Leneshek - Brothers in Arms

I am on a plane on my way home from leading a Young Judaea alumni trip to Israel, where we spent 6 days volunteering, bearing witness by hearing stories from survivors, victims, and heroes, and seeing firsthand the physical,...

Dec 21, 2023, 6:39 AM

My Magical Summer in Israel with Young Judaea

Photo Caption: Claire Eisenstadt, Marissa Bishop, and Mia Finestone. Photo courtesy of the author.

I never could have imagined a summer as magical as the one I had on the 2023 Young Judaea Gesher Israel program. I learned more than I ever thought was possible. I learned how to become best friends with someone...

Claire Eisenstadt

Dec 7, 2023, 10:58 AM

How My Summer Experience in Israel Impacted My Life

Photo supplied by the author.

As I try to absorb the horror of the war between Israel and Hamas, it is amazing to look back and realize I spent my summer in Israel just a few short months ago. My name is Claire Eisenstadt, and...

Nov 21, 2023, 7:13 PM

The world and my job has changed

The world as we knew it changed on October 7th, and uniquely, so did my job. I am the marketing manager for Young Judaea, the oldest Zionist youth movement in North America. This organization, over 100 years old, began as...

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