Mystical, spiritual, busy –and darn fun! That's my description of my recent eight-day trip to Israel sponsored by the Jewish Learning Institute, Chabad's comprehensive learning/educational resource company headquartered in Brooklyn.

The trip was attended by some 750 Jews and 60 rabbis from across the United States, plus a few international travelers. The March 12-19 Israel trip was unique in that it offered seven different programming tracks, with names like "Food and Wine," "In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors" and "Meet the Israelis." "The trip appealed to Jews who had never been there before, as well as those who had traveled there many times," explained Chanshy Majesky, rebbetzin from the Chabad of North Orlando. "It really did offer something for everyone."

Our North Orlando Chabad group proudly walked through the streets of Hebron. Here, we stand in front of the Cave of Machpelah, the holy resting place of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca and Jacob and Leah.

The Orlando North Chabad travelers included: Shane Dosset and Susan Molina, Jane Edelstein, Lisa Eichenblatt, Sindi Ackman, Hank and Roz Goldmann, Rabbi Yanky and Chanshy Majesky, Michele Merritt, Jackie Moldau, Janice and Hal Simonds, Lorraine Perez and Judy Wolf. Also in attendance was Rabbi Mendy Bronstein from Chabad of Altamonte Springs with others from his shul.

How can an article best convey the magnitude-and astounding program development-of such an incredible experience? When a picture is worth a thousand words and, in some cases, also worth thousands of years of Jewish history, a pictorial overview does the trick.

The JLI Israel experience, named The Land and the Spirit, traditionally occurs every two years. However, due to the 2023 trip selling out quickly, trip planning is already underway for 2024. More information is available from Rabbi Yanky Majesky at 407-488-9304. You do not need to attend a Chabad to take part.

https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2023/04/21/features/the-jli-israel-experience-in-pictures/18142.html