By MINDY HANKEN

Jewish Community Relations Committee Intern

“When I used to think of Judaism, I thought of studying for my Bar Mitzvah, going to temple on Friday evenings, seeing my family on holidays, and the occasional Jewish Federation events!

“But, my ideas of Judaism have just been expanded beyond belief. Now, when I think of Judaism, I think of the breath-taking beauty we experienced while hiking throughout the Negev. I remember at night, after our hikes, when we camped out under the stars, I had an overwhelming feeling of peace, as I listened to the sound of the open desert. I think of standing in awe at the base of the Western Wall, trying to understand the diversity and the unity of the numerous people who touched this very spot. I think of walking through the Old City, seeing Jews live their lives, in many ways like our ancestors did, many thousands of years ago. I think of the wonder and excitement of Tel Aviv, and I remember realizing that Israel is just as advanced as we are. I remember thinking how cool it was seeing a McDonalds sign written in Hebrew.

“But, most importantly, when I think of Israel, I think of how much fun I had and the wonderful friendships that will last a lifetime; friendships, just like my new connection to Judaism, that will never end.”

The above words were part of a speech Dan Medwin delivered at the JFD Annual Meeting in May. The speech left people at the meeting with a sense of pride for the next generation of leaders. The speech was about his trip to Israel during the summer of ’95. The trip has given Dan a renewed sense of commitment and dedication to Judaism and the State of Israel.

Dan Medwin joined 600 other Jews from across North America on the NFTY tour “Exodus to Israel.” The five and a half week tour started with a flight to Greece where the group spent two days before sailing on a boat to Haifa. The boat trip from Greece to Israel was to simulate the Jews trip to Palestine after WWII. For the next month in Israel, Dan was to meet new and exciting people, see interesting and historical places, and learn the history of his Jewish ancestors.

It was important for Dan to keep a journal of what he was doing, seeing, and learning in Israel. Upon his arrival to Israel from Greece, Dan wrote in his journal:

“As I looked out a window of the boat, and saw the magnificent shores of Eretz Yisrael, I only had one though… The idea was so simple and yet so strong, it blocked out all other thoughts. It blocked out the noise behind me of 600 screaming teenagers looking forward to the best summer of their lives, jumping into a new adventure with wide eyes and open minds… as the thought bounced around it grew strength; growing louder and louder in my subconscious until it was too loud to contain. It burst out of my lips. Only the Israelis around me understood how I was feeling, or even what I had said. The thought was simple, it was pure, but it was overwhelmingly powerful: I had returned home…”

While in Israel Dan explored the North of Israel including the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, and Haifa. Dan traveled throughout Jerusalem which included an experience at the Western Wall, exploring the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, shopping on Ben Yehuda Street, planting a tree, and visiting the Knesset building. Dan also traveled to Tel Aviv, “the New York City of Israel,” where he shopped in Dizengoff Center, and walked the beach of the Mediterranean Sea. He hiked and crawled through caves in the Negev Desert and visited the Mitzpeh Ramon Crater. He had the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea and climb Massada early in morning Dan, left, and a friend on the boat to Israel. to experience sunrise from a mountaintop.

Dan can now reflect on the way his trip to Israel has affected this past year. He has gotten more involved in his NFTY Region and holds the position of Religious and Cultural Vice President of the NFTY Mid-Atlantic Region. As the RCVP, Dan writes programs and services focusing on Israel and other Jewish aspects. His future plans include attending Brandeis University as a Judaic Studies and/or Computer Science major. Dan often reflects back on his trip and recalls what he learned about the State of Israel and the lasting friendships he made while there.

Originally published in The Jewish Voice, July 19, 1996.