At the time of this post, we, the members of the Rubin Israel Experience Class of 2013 are less than 72 hours away from the first step in our transformative, maiden voyage to Israel.

Actually, “first step” isn’t quite accurate. Our story really began this past June when we first convened as Rubinites, got to know each other a bit better and had the opportunity to meet with and hear the wisdom and well wishes from our amazing, visionary benefactors, Ron and Pam Rubin. Throughout the summer, we had the opportunity to meet a number of times, with each meeting giving us an opportunity to learn more about Israel, its foundation, industry, culture, government and the important role the Jewish Federation of St. Louis serves in the support of a number of Israeli communities and organizations.

As Autumn arrived and our departure date drew nearer, we gathered for two soul-stirring evenings, first at the St. Louis Holocaust Museum where we met with Sara Moses, a survivor who shared her terrifying recollections of life in Nazi concentration camps. Following Ms. Moses’ talk, we received a private tour of the museum courtesy of museum docent Sarijane Freiman. Our final gathering was at the St. Louis Science Center’s Imax theater where we had the privilege to watch the St. Louis premeire of Daniel Ferguson’s magnificent new film “Jerusalem.” If our appetites to visit the Holy Land hadn’t been whetted prior to the movie, it is safe to say they were (and then some) afterward.

Over the past several months, our group has gone from individuals among a pack of eager and curious applicants to a group of friends ready to share the experience of a lifetime.

The Rubinites of 2013 are: Robert Beattie, Scott Bernstein, Emily Corson, Alan Fine, Liz Holden, Yale Hollander, Alan Kahn, Emily Stein MacDonald, Meilissa Wallace and Li Zou.

To the extent that a bunch of words and pictures can do it justice, we are happy to share our experience with you through this blog.

As former Jewish Federation of St. Louis president Alfred Fleishman used to say, “more later…”

Sam March
Author: Sam March