Volunteer in Israel: A New Beginning For Me and My Judaism

My name is Alivia Barker, and I’m a 36-year-old woman living in Boca Raton, Florida. Today, I focus my energy on spreading joy and love while building meaningful connections; whether through my work as a personal organizer, my volunteer role as a Big Sister through Jewish Family Services, or my treasured relationships with friends and family. I feel incredibly fortunate to have my brothers, Max and Harrison, nearby, along with my beloved niece and nephew, Bette and Chai Barker.

Judaism was an omnipresent part of my childhood. My father, Gerry, served as president of our synagogue, Temple Beth David, in my hometown of Cheshire, Connecticut, and later as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. My mother, Debbi, was an active member of Hadassah and a three-time B’nai Mitzvah planner extraordinaire. I was raised in a traditional home where pride in our Jewish identity was not only encouraged, but deeply ingrained.

Growing up in a small Jewish community, I often found myself sharing my traditions with others. I remember inviting my non-Jewish friends over for Hanukkah to teach them about our history and customs.  I’m proud to say that by the time my Bat Mitzvah came around, all of the girls could recite the HaMotzi. Judaism was always a part of who I was, but not always something I fully understood or actively explored. My connection to Israel, in particular, existed more as an idea than a lived experience.

When I was asked if I wanted to go on a Volunteer in Israel trip, my answer was an immediate and resounding YES. In the aftermath of October 7th, my relationship with Judaism and my love for Israel had deepened significantly. At the same time, I found myself searching for a stronger sense of community. I was asking bigger questions about identity, belonging, and what it truly means to be Jewish as an adult. I hoped this trip might help me find some of those answers.

Arriving in Israel felt surreal. There was an immediate sense of familiarity intertwined with awe. The Hebrew signs, the language, the energy of the people, and the stunning landscape all came together in a way that made it feel as though I had arrived somewhere my soul had always known. What struck me most was the beautiful intensity of life there; everything felt heightened: the emotion, the history, and the purpose.

There were so many meaningful moments throughout the trip that it’s difficult to choose just a few. Standing at the Kotel, surrounded by hundreds of people in prayer, I felt deeply connected to the past, to the present, and to something much greater than myself.

One evening, we attended a concert at Menora Mivtachim Arena featuring some of Israel’s top artists. Sitting among 8,000 people, all singing Hebrew songs in unison, I felt an overwhelming sense of unity and strength. It was one of those moments where emotion takes over completely; my heart truly felt like it might burst.

The following day brought a very different kind of experience, one that was deeply sobering and profoundly impactful. We visited Kibbutz Be’eri, where a survivor of the October 7th attacks walked us through the stories of his friends and neighbors who were lost that day. Standing in those spaces, hearing firsthand accounts, made the tragedy feel heartbreakingly real. He then brought us into his own home which was completely charred from the inside out, the staircase broken halfway up; we sat together in what had once been his living room as he recounted what he had endured. The contrast between the peaceful beauty of the kibbutz and the horrific events that took place there was almost impossible to reconcile.

We then visited the site of the Nova Festival. Seeing the faces of those who were killed; people who could have easily been our friends or siblings, was deeply moving. Standing on that ground, after having only seen it through screens, was chilling. We also had the honor of meeting Sigal Manzuri, the mother of Norelle and Roya Manzuri, who were tragically killed along with others while seeking shelter. Her strength and willingness to share her story is something I will carry with me forever. May their memories always be a blessing.

Volunteering during the trip added another meaningful layer to the experience. We spent time at Latet, a nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity in Israel, and also volunteered at Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha. One particularly special moment involved a fellow participant who is a teacher. Her students had painted rocks with inspirational messages, which she brought with her to Israel. We placed those rocks along a garden pathway sponsored by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Seeing that project come to life in such a thoughtful and tangible way was incredibly heartwarming.

The people I met were a huge part of what made this trip so transformative. My fellow participants quickly became close friends.  We shared stories, vulnerabilities, and formed bonds that felt immediate and genuine. The Israelis we met added another powerful dimension. Hearing their lived experiences, especially in the context of recent events, made everything feel more real and more urgent. Their resilience, honesty, and openness left a lasting impression on me.

One moment that especially stands out was a volunteer opportunity where we cooked and served dinner to 150 IDF soldiers on their base. We served what felt like hundreds of pounds of food to these young men and women, and the gratitude on their faces was striking to me because in truth, we were the ones who felt so deeply grateful to them.  

Looking back, Volunteer in Israel shifted something fundamental within me. My Jewish identity transformed from something somewhat passive into something deeply personal and active. I feel more connected—not only to Israel, but to Jewish people everywhere. I carry a renewed sense of pride and responsibility, along with a stronger foundation and a clearer understanding of where I belong.

As I look ahead, I hope to continue nurturing this connection by staying actively engaged with the Jewish community, particularly through the Jewish Federation. I want this experience to be a beginning for me and my Judaism; something that continues to shape how I show up in the world.

To the donor who made this journey possible, I offer my deepest gratitude. Thank you not only for giving me the opportunity to visit Israel, but for allowing me to truly experience it, to question it, and to connect with it in a way that will stay with me forever. Your generosity made something far more meaningful than a trip possible.  It sparked a lasting transformation in identity, perspective, and belonging. 

Volunteer in Israel, a joint initiative of Taglit Birthright Israel and the Jewish Federations of North America, provides Jewish adults with a meaningful way to engage with Israel through hands-on service. Launched in the wake of October 7, the program has since mobilized more than 25,000 volunteers across the country for impactful projects and continues to strengthen participants’ connection to Israel and the global Jewish community.

Photo: Alivia Barker & Michele Austin in our Partnership2Gether sister city, Zikhron Ya'akov.