By the 2016 Rubinites
Our last day in Israel was a long farewell to our home for the past 10 days. We visited Orr Shalom, a wonderful foster home/community that’s partially funded by Jewish Federation in St. Louis, ate excellent shawarma/falafel in the German Colony, visited the City of David, and created art pieces to sum up our transformative trip.
For our last blog post, however, we wanted each Rubinite to share a few thoughts about their personal experiences — and what this wonderful gift from Pam and Ron Rubin meant to each of us.
This whirlwind of an amazing trip is coming to an end. It will take me days, month, and years to internalize what this trip has done for me. I cannot express my gratitude enough to the Rubins. –Dave Sweeney
To think, speak, or write the words to describe this experience with which I was honored. Only my Spirit knows the Love and Awe I feel. I am forever Grateful. –Neshama Roash
Before our trip, Andrew Rehfeld told us to go to Israel with an open heart. I had no idea what he meant. After 10 days, we have now flown home – but at the same time leaving our new home, Israel. All I know is that “I will be back” with my family. Because traveling with my Rubin family and my new Israeli friends opened my heart. –Lisa Greening
I am proud to be a Rubinite. It has been an honor to have been selected to participate in this amazing program. We covered so much ground and as a result have learned so much about Israel’s history, economy, and government. We also learned a ton about Judaism and how we can use this knowledge to give back and make a difference in the community. –Steve Myers
I am so thankful for the opportunity to go on this trip. Israel is a land, a country, like nothing else I have experienced. I definitely found a connection to my Jewish heritage, the people of Israel and the amazing things people in the community are doing. To connect ten people in St. Louis with a land with so much history is remarkable. I will cherish this memory always. –Sharon Remis
I’ve been amazed by how much I learned about myself and about Israel in the course of just 10 days. It speaks so much to the skill of our leader, Mindee, and the vision and commitment of the Rubins. I will always remember our last day, returning to the Western Wall as a group, this time to a section reserved for people to pray together no matter their gender. With no one else around, we spontaneously formed a circle and started singing and dancing together, hand in hand. I will always treasure these new friends and the many experiences we’ve shared in Israel. –Katie Rice-Guter
I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes as the plane takes off from Israel. It’s not possible to put into words how this experience has changed my life forever! In ten days we had the most incredible adventures and learned so much about Israel and its history. My heart is full. I’m forever grateful to Pam and Ron Rubin for letting my have the privilege to experience Israel! I’m so lucky to have 10 new best friends/sisters/brother — and to have Mindee’s leadership and friendship along the way. I am beyond touched by this unreal experience. I love Israel! I love the 2016 Rubinites, Mindee, and the Rubins! I can’t wait to get involved with the St. Louis community and share this experience with the world. –Jodi Glassman
This was truly an experience of a lifetime! Since I was a child, I’ve always wanted/wondered if I’d ever make it to Israel. I can’t believe it just happened. I am so grateful to the Rubins, Mindee, and her help on the trip. I had a moment in Tel Aviv, while riding on a Segway, looking into the Mediterranean Sea, realize that we made it… I started singing Am Israel Chai! The bonding I had with the other Rubinites as well as many Israelis was unbelievable… not to mention having the opportunity to meet other members of my own family who live in Haifa, who I’ve never met before! It was truly life changing. –Matt Berman
It’s not possible to summarize Israel in just a few sentences! Over the last 10 days, we were introduced to so many people, places, and experiences that display the depth, complexity, and promise of the Jewish State. I will be forever thankful to our fantastic Rubinite cohort, our stellar leader, Mindee, and to the amazingly generous Pam and Ron Rubin for making this all possible. –Paul Sorenson
I really struggled with composing an end-of-trip recap. Maybe if I was a philosopher or poet I could more accurately express what this trip has meant to me in my head and in my heart. The reality of the gift that the Rubin have given us still hasn’t fully set in. I am so thankful to have made so many new friends — both from St. Louis and abroad. I am so grateful to the behind-the-scenes team that imposed this fairytale experience, led by the irreplaceable Mindee Fredman. Israel is an amazing land, and I can’t wait to return. –Lauren Gellber