Being raised in Cleveland with a large Jewish community, I thought my life was pretty similar to other Jews in my community and probably other communities around the world: always striving to figure out who I was, where I belonged, what I believed, and what I was passionate about. While we face many issues in our home societies, Israel should matter to all Jews because it is bound to who we are, where we come from, and our long term future as a Jewish people.

I always knew that I was Jewish and would never want to be anything else, but at that point I did not yet know what it meant to me or why it mattered. It is jarring to hear how strongly people feel about Israel, and it seems to me that American Jews have forgotten why we need Israel and how necessary it is. The world right now is at a crossroads and Jews today cannot afford to be divided, and I believe Israel has the potential to be a unifying factor.

Growing up in a religious community, my whole life I have been taught that Israel is the holy land and I could not believe it more. It is the land our ancestors had to struggle to reach, driven forward by the promise of Hashem and a vision of a land of their own. My grandmother made her way to Palestine to find freedom in our homeland, and I am today living her legacy and inspired by her passion to do more.

Rockets and wars every now and then, but I'm here for something totally different. Summer here... is just awesome.

Israel Forever intern Abby Chargo describes how she connected with Israel through deepening her roots in Judaism while at the same time understanding that religion is one of many paths to connect and each Jew needs to find their own way.

How will we keep the next generation of Jewish kids interested in being Jewish and connecting to Israel? Research shows us that Jewish camp experiences may just be the answer.

Awaken in your campers a real and tangible relationship that will help them balance the complex and challenging issues that are a part of our continued understanding and respect for Israel.

Jewish identity for young Brazilian Jews has its own unique flavor. Israel Forever ambassador Tatiana Tessler shares her feelings about Jewish identity and Israel, and wonders how she can help the “other kinds of Jews” feel Jewish pride.

Israel Forever intern Harley Feldman, describes how although she grew up “pretty Jewish” it took experiencing Israel to help her feel her connection to the Land and her heritage

Israel Forever intern Marshall Ivler describes what made him realize that “living Jewishly” was not the same as having a strong Jewish identity and that having a firm grasp on identity and connection to the heritage of the Nation of Israel is of vital important.