BY MINDY ZEITZER

I have been fortunate to travel to Israel six times, and each experience is special. This one was really special. It never ceases to amaze me that every trip to Israel brings new experiences and new perspectives.
I traveled to Israel on the JFGP community trip with my husband, Mark, and our youngest son, Ezra. The highlight for us was the thrill of meeting up with our two older boys while we were there. Although I’ve been to Israel several times, I had never experienced it with my family. I was elated to share the awe of Israel with my three boys and as a whole family of five.
Our youngest son was eager to go. This, after all, was his first trip out of the country and, of course, his first trip to Israel. He’s spent his whole life at Portland Jewish Academy from 2 years old learning about Israel and Judaism and building his Jewish identity. Each and every day in Israel, watching his eyes twinkle with wonder brought me a renewed sense of excitement. As we traveled across Israel visiting historical and meaningful places to us as Jews, he listened intently to our incredible guide, Yoni, yearning to learn and absorb more. Often his hand was the first in the air when a question was asked, wanting to be part of it all. I knew Israel was leaving a permanent mark on him.
Our middle son was already there on a two-week, 8th-grade trip with his PJA class. This trip was a long-awaited experience for all the PJAers. In every picture I saw with his class, I could feel his excitement and joy. We were able to steal him away from his trip for a few hours on Shabbat and hear about his favorite part of the trip – a free choice lunch in the shuk. All the different and distinct spices and bartering for gifts was the best part for him.
Our oldest son is currently spending a whole semester in Israel on the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program – a four-month program. We were able to take advantage of Chai Israel funding through JFGP that is available to all Oregonians and kids in SW Washington to support him in attending. His experience has truly been like no other. The learning has been deep and watching his Jewish identity grow has been fulfilling. Imagine learning about Masada on Masada and getting high school credit for it!
Shabbat in Jerusalem was where we were reunited halfway across the world in the holiest place on Earth for just a few hours. I believe a reunion, had it happened anywhere, would have been moving; the fact that it happened in Israel, in Jerusalem, made it feel all the more special. Emotions were high from all of us. Being together in the Old City, experiencing the Kotel, the history of our people – all together even for a short period – was a moment that will be with me forever. I’m so grateful to JFGP for making this experience happen through the community trip, for supporting PJAers and for supporting all kids to experience Israel. These experiences are forever.
Now, back in Portland reflecting on the trip, I realize there is another reason this trip was so special. It was a community trip with 200 people from across our small but mighty Jewish world of greater Portland. There were many people from our community that I knew and a ton of people I had never seen or met. We told everyone about meeting up with our boys; everyone shared our excitement and was eager to welcome them. I even had the opportunity to be medical support while on the trip. It was truly awesome to share this experience with our community and expand our Jewish world in Portland.
It’s funny that traveling across the world to our homeland with my community gave me a deeper sense of kehillah and family right here at home.
Mindy Zeitzer chairs the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

See more stories and photos from Israel at online.anyflip.com/fgcex/tpwy.