Portland’s community trip offered many families a multi-generational experience, including some becoming b’nai mitzvah in Jerusalem. See two stories on generational experiences below.

PHOTO: Amanda Netter with her family at Masada.

Three generations experiencing Israel together

BY AMANDA NETTER
I first visited Israel in 2018 with the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project, and ever since, I’ve looked forward to the opportunity to take my family so they could fall in love with Israel as I did. This trip with the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland not only achieved that but exceeded my wildest expectations.
Once we stepped off the airplane and saw the “Welcome to Ben-Gurion Airport” sign, I observed the excitement on my family’s faces and felt that we were home. Then over the next nine days, the amazing experiences started piling up. Seeing my oldest son’s face light up with enthusiasm as he talked about the cool feeling of people getting ready for Shabbat in Jerusalem, followed by a warm and beautiful service with the group by the Southern Wall. In Tsfat, finding Star of David necklaces for both my boys and bar mitzvah candles for my youngest. Getting lost in the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv where we talked to vendors, bought Judaica items, sampled the delicious rugelach and babka, and ate at my favorite hummus restaurant from my prior visit. Leaving notes in the Western Wall, feeling the history and spirituality of this holy location. Experiencing thousands of years of history at places like Caesarea, Tel Dan, Akko and Masada. And of course, floating in the Dead Sea, sifting the fine salt through our fingertips while covered in mud.
As an added bonus, we experienced everything with my mother- and father-in-law, who were also on their first visit to Israel. Having three generations together on this adventure enhanced the experience and took it to another level. Whether it was emotional activities like visiting Yad Vashem or praying at the Western Wall, or entertaining events like making chocolate at a factory in the Golan Heights or dancing on an after-dinner cruise on the Sea of Galilee, having my kids and their grandparents doing this together was incredibly special and allowed me to experience Israel through their eyes.
But most of all, I cherished being in Israel together, smiles on our faces while being surrounded by Jewish people in an environment that was safe, welcoming and comfortable. I witnessed my family leaning into their Jewishness unapologetically, connecting to our Jewish roots and history. Becoming bonded with a deeper connection to the global Jewish community and the great people from Portland on this trip. All of which filled me with pride. A feeling that I will remember forever.

B'nai mitzvah, history, sites unite generations

BY DEBORAH MOON
Portland’s community trip offered many families a multi-generational experience, including some becoming b’nai mitzvah in Jerusalem.
A score of adults and two 12-year-old girls participated in the b’nai mitzvah celebration held at the Southern Wall on March 27.
Eliana Michaelis was delighted to find out that even though she wouldn’t turn 12 until April 2, on the Hebrew calendar she was already 12.
“I dreamed of doing it (bat mitzvah), and to be able to do it here was even more amazing,” says Eliana of her Jerusalem bat mitzvah, which she shared with her mother, Kerry Haugh, and her friend, Emelia Orvieto.   
Kerry, who formalized her conversion in March 2020, had planned to participate in the b’nai mitzvah on JFGP’s original trip, which was postponed by Covid. This year, becoming a bat mitzvah in Jerusalem was “pretty magical and doing it with my daughter was a bonus,” she says.
Trip manager Caron Blau Rothstein previously coordinated the Mother’s Circle Portland, which supported non-Jewish moms raising Jewish children. The program was run by Congregation Neveh Shalom with a grant from Federation.
“Three Mother’s Circle graduates came on this trip with their non-Jewish parents and their Jewish children,” says Caron, now JFGP’s Chief Allocations and Engagement Office. “Some of them have chosen Judaism for themselves over the years, and one mother/daughter even had their b’not mitzvah on the trip. To see these blended heritage, multi-generation families come to Israel together as part of our community trip feels like a full circle moment for me, and I hope very much for them, too.”
“I like how there were lots of activities for multi-generations,” says one of the mothers who brought her three children. “The kids and I all got something out of it.”
Mother’s Circle graduate Laura Addonisio was on the trip with her wife, Deb Freedman, their daughter, Sarah, and both of their mothers, Barbara Freedman and Iris Addonisio, who was joined by her friend, MaryAnn Piedmonte.
“Visiting Israel with three generations of women was a spectacular experience,” says Laura. “Our family is multi-faith as I’m Christian, my wife is Jewish and our daughter is being raised Jewish. This trip gave my daughter the opportunity to experience Israel with the perspective of both her Jewish grandmother and Catholic grandmother. I was so proud watching and being a part of the sharing between generations. We made lifelong memories and dreams come true.”
The six women were enthusiastic, boisterous participants throughout the trip.
“We gave them roots in Jewish life, and they gave themselves and their families wings to soar, embrace and be embraced by the Portland Jewish community,” says Caron of the Mother’s Circle families. “It doesn’t get any better or more fulfilling for me as a Jewish professional (than) to see this outcome.” 
Other families also enjoyed experiencing Israel together.
“I was glad to be here and put a note in the wall and then go underground and see more of it,” says Elle Wendrow, 21, during a tour of the Western Wall tunnels.
Elle was in Israel for the first time and came with her parents, Michael and Susanne Wendrow; Susanne had visited Israel in 1979 and 1987.
“I was really excited to see Israel through the eyes of Elle and Michael,” says Susanne.
A history buff, Michael says the views of history and the ability to touch them were fascinating.
Elle is already planning to return to Israel. She has found the security and political issues on this trip fascinating and wants to take a Birthright Israel trip focused on politics. Birthright Israel offers free trips to Israel for young Jewish adults from the Diaspora.
Throughout the trip, which offered a taste of many places and experiences, many people were heard to say they want to return for a longer experience at a favorite stop.

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