Israel from Many Angles: A Sha’ar Zahav Travel Experience

With input from many, we have articulated an Israel Trip Purpose Statement (at the link below), and continue to work with the exciting and experienced MEJDI Tours company co-owned by American Jewish and Palestinian Israeli peace builders poised to meet the needs of our congregation today. 

How to Afford the Trip and Other Vital Info from CSZ

With the war in Gaza and hostilities elsewhere in Israel and Palestine continuing, planning a trip to Israel holds great uncertainty.  And yet, we must plan now in order to have the opportunity to travel in November, as long as it is safe.  

Engaging with Israel today is challenging.  The political situation is disturbing, as democratic values and systems are at risk – as they are in the U.S. and elsewhere. And yet Israel – both historically and today – is intricately entwined with Judaism, and can stir the heart in beautiful and complex ways.   

• There is so much to see in Israel, so many stories to tell. Here is some of what we will address:
• We will bear witness to the impact of Oct 7 by visiting memorials and exhibits and by hearing from Israelis who were directly affected by the events of October 7 and its aftermath.
• What are the various proposals for peace and security and how have they evolved in light of the war?  
• How have the many movements and organizations working toward co-existence, social justice, and civil rights re-positioned themselves due to the war?   Where and how are Jewish and Arab Israelis working together?  What social innovations are developing through the struggle for peaceful co-existence?
• What is the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Israel, and what is it like to be queer in Israel today?
• We will look at Israel’s ancient and modern history and where we can find Torah in both.  
• Who lives in Israel today, and what does life look like for different communities?
• What does it mean to live in a region seeing rapid temperature rise and diminishing water resources?

We will explore these complexities through our site visits, nature visits, community service and meetings with NGOs, academics, politicians, Israelis from many communities, with the help of a tour operator co-owned and run by an American Jewish and Palestinian Israeli peace builder/travel entrepreneurs.  

In all of these stories we will look for how we might engage:  What is our role as American queer Jews?  How does Israel integrate into our Judaism today, individually and in community? We will explore Israel in Sha’ar Zahav fashion – openly and with respect, bringing our whole selves to the table, listening and sharing and bearing witness to our own and each other’s experiences and evolving viewpoints.