Learning, Leading, and Listening: A JCC Leader's Journey Through Israel
Shehecheyanu – Thank you for bringing me to this season.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
This week, we are proud to share that Reva Fox, our JCC Arts & Culture Director, has arrived in Israel as part of the Martin Pear Israel Fellowship – a transformative 18-month experience for rising JCC leaders in North America. For the next two weeks, Reva will be sharing her reflections, photos, and moments of connection with our Milwaukee community.
Day 1: Planting roots
I’ve arrived in Israel!!!
Our very first stop was Neot Kedumim, a biblical nature preserve just outside of Tel Aviv. It felt incredibly powerful to begin this journey by planting an oak tree in honor of someone meaningful in our lives – literally putting down roots in a land so rich in history and meaning. From there, we headed to Tel Aviv for an introduction to the city. One of our stops was Dizengoff Fountain, now framed by a solemn and moving memorial display.
I’m so excited to learn, grow, and build community with this incredible group of professionals. I can’t wait to share what I’m learning with you all!
Day 2: Layers of a City
Tel Aviv is a city of contrasts – ancient and modern, vibrant and solemn. We started our day walking through Jaffa, one of the oldest ports in the world. It was amazing to see how this historic entry point has evolved into a thriving, high-tech hub.
We visited the Photo House, which preserves decades of Israeli life, and spent time in Anu: Museum of the Jewish People, where I learned about global Jewish communities I didn’t even know existed – including one in India!
One of the most emotional moments came at Hostage Square, where images and stories of those still held captive are everywhere. Even as life moves on – kids are playing, tourists are back, vendors are selling their wares – there’s a constant awareness of the current conflict. We’re always shown the nearest bomb shelter. We travel with armed guards. It’s sobering.
Still, we ended the day with joy and connection through food – an Israeli cooking class! We made everything from hummus and falafel to kebabs, challah, and Shabbat fish. There was so much laughter and warmth in that kitchen. It felt like a perfect snapshot of Israel today – somber and joyous, grateful and cautious. As our cooking teaching joked: “We’ve talked about kosher, and we’ve talked about sirens…what’s next?”
Day 3: Grief, Grit, and Hope in the Gaza Envelope
Today was a hard but deeply meaningful day. We traveled south to the Gaza Envelope – areas directly affected by the conflict.
We began at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran, a beautiful rehabilitation village founded by an army veteran for his son with disabilities. Their mission is to empower and uplift, and the quote on the wall has stayed with me:
Sometimes I’m the same. Sometimes I’m different. But I always matter.
Next, we had lunch with the Lankri family. Eyal, a 20-year-old recovering IDF soldier, bravely shared his story with our group – the trauma he and his peers carry, especially after October 7, is beyond what most of us can imagine.
But the emotional peak of the day came at the Nova Music Festival site. Standing among the memorials was heartbreaking. Each sculpture and photo told a story of a life lost – so many lives, so much pain. And yet, even here we encountered hope. We met two amazing women from Toreinu (Our Turn), a grassroots movement focused on rebuilding community in the Gaza Envelope. Despite everything, their message was one of resilience and renewal.
It was a rollercoaster of a day – filled with sorrow, trauma, and stress, but also hope, joy, and a fierce determination to keep going. A perfect metaphor for Israel, really.
Days 5 & 6: Sacred Time in a Sacred Place
Shabbat Shalom from Israel! Our time in Jerusalem has been so deeply meaningful and full of reflection. We began our fifth day in the heart of Jerusalem, a breathtaking place to welcome in Shabbat. Our group entered the Old City through the iconic Jaffa Gate and made our way through its winding streets to the Kotel. Standing at the Western Wall – a place of such peace, history, and emotion – was a powerful and grounding moment.
From there, we climbed a rooftop overlook, where I was able to capture a photo that, to me, represents the very soul of Jerusalem: three of the world’s major religions coexisting in a single frame. The layers of this city continue to amaze me.
After spending time in the Old City, we wandered down to Machane Yehuda – the shuk – just before Shabbat. The energy was electric, the crowds thick, the smells of spices and baked goods everywhere. A true sensory experience!
Back at the hotel, just as we were preparing for Shabbat, the sirens sounded, and we quickly moved to shelter. It was a stark reminder of the reality of life here – moments of peace interrupted by underlying tension. Thankfully, all was well, and we returned to our rooms to finish getting ready.
After candle lighting and sharing reflections in the hotel lobby, we set off for a special Shabbat dinner. We were warmly welcomed by Rabbi Ian Pear, his wife, children, and grandchildren – the family of Martin Pear, for whom our Fellowship is named. We shared a delicious meal and heartfelt conversation, connecting across generations and geographies.
Shabbat morning offered a quieter pace. A few of us joined our guide, Muki Jankelowitz, to explore the Christian and Muslim quarters of the Old City. He led us through the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest sites in Christianity. I was struck by how many layers of history, meaning, and ritual coexist within those ancient walls.
We also encountered a beautiful mosaic of the binding of Isaac and learned how that story carries a different significance in Christian tradition. It was a moment of interfaith learning that added even more depth to our experience in Jerusalem.
Later in the day, we sipped mint lemonade while admiring the Damascus Gate, wandered through charming neighborhoods, and simply soaked in the rhythm of Shabbat in this remarkable place.
We closed out the day with group learning and Havdalah, where I had the honor of leading the blessings. As we sang and swayed in the soft Jerusalem breeze, I felt both grounded and uplifted.
This Shabbat was a sacred pause – a time to rest, reflect, and reconnect in one of the holiest cities in the world.
Day 7: Desert adventures and deep history
Today was the kind of day that reminds you just how much beauty, history, and exhilaration can be packed into one 24-hour stretch in Israel.
We began the morning with a drive through the West Bank on our way to Masada. This was where the impact of the current moment was felt most clearly. The last time I visited Masada, the site was bustling with tourists. But today, we were the only group there – just us, the mountain, and its stories.
As we climbed and explored, we learned about King Herod’s ancient fortress, the resistance of the Jewish zealots, and the powerful symbolism Masada holds for the Jewish people. With sweeping desert views all around us, we joined voices and shouted the traditional declaration:
“Masada shall not fall again!” / מצדה לא תיפול שוב!
It echoed across the stillness – a spine-tingling moment of pride and remembrance.
From there, we headed down to the Dead Sea. After a quick picnic lunch, we jumped into full Dead Sea mode – floating effortlessly in the mineral-rich water and, of course, covering ourselves in the famous mud (some of us more enthusiastically than others!).
Then the energy shifted – and the adrenaline kicked in – as we geared up for an ATV ride through the Judean Desert! I rode alongside Rachel Ruth from the New Orleans JCC and our ever-steady security guard, Edo. We roared over desert trails, past dramatic landscapes, and even spotted a World War II-era foxhole carved into the earth. It was wild, dusty, and an absolute blast.
After the dust settled, we wound down with a peaceful and inspiring session led by a local musician who introduced us to traditional instruments from across the Middle East and Africa. It was a beautiful way to reflect on the diverse cultural threads that weave through this region.
As the sun dipped behind the desert hills, we headed back to Jerusalem, tired but glowing from a full day of learning, laughter, and connection – and we were welcomed with a delicious, well-earned dinner.
Reva’s journey through Israel with the JCCA Martin Pear Fellowship is just getting started. Stay tuned – we’ll be sharing highlights from Week 2 soon, filled with even more meaningful moments, connections, and discoveries. You won’t want to miss it!
