Birthright Israel Helped Me Finally Feel “Jewish Enough”

I grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, and I’m now a senior at Skidmore College. I study education and psychology with a minor in dance. For as long as I can remember I thought I would become a teacher, but recently I’ve considered going into school social work or child psychology instead.

My earliest memories of Judaism are from the preschool I attended at my temple. Although my family celebrated holidays and my bat mitzvah, I had many friends who went to synagogue more consistently, and attended Jewish day schools and summer camps. I didn’t always feel like I had the same claim on my Jewish identity. I loved the feeling of togetherness, but part of me wondered if I was “Jewish enough” compared to others.

After seeing many of my friends visit Israel, I really wanted to experience it firsthand. I was nervous — about leaving the country, being away from my parents, even about being questioned at the airport. But as soon as we landed in Israel, my nerves melted into excitement. You can read about Israel and look at photos, but nothing prepares you for the feeling of stepping off the plane. It felt magical.

Our group was unusually small — only 19 participants — which made it so special. We bonded immediately. The staff was amazing. Even before the trip started, our WhatsApp group was full of funny connections — people realizing we grew up near each other or had mutual friends. By the end, it felt like we’d known each other forever.

When seven Israeli soldiers joined our group, I wondered whether their presence would disrupt the dynamic. But it turned out to be the most meaningful part of the trip. They were our age, but their lives were so different. I had a long conversation with one soldier who grew up in the States but moved to Israel to serve in the IDF. Her passion and love for Israel inspired me deeply.

Those conversations changed how I saw myself. I realized there were many different ways to be Jewish. By day three, my insecurity about not being “Jewish enough” was gone. I understood that Israel was for everyone, and Judaism could be whatever I made of it.

I was also amazed by Israelis themselves — their kindness and calm. In America, people are often rushed or distracted. In Israel, even under enormous pressure, people seemed grounded and steady. When we went into bomb shelters during sirens, we would say, “If the Israelis aren’t panicking, then we don’t need to panic.” And it was true. Their resilience gave us courage.

One of the most difficult but important moments of the trip was visiting the Nova music festival site. We knew it would be heavy, and it was. Getting off the bus, seeing the memorials, and then hearing stories from our tour guide and our Israeli friends who had personal connections to victims — it was devastating. I realized that almost everyone in Israel knows someone who was affected by October 7. It’s an experience I will never forget, and I’m grateful Birthright gave us the time to reflect, ask questions, and feel our emotions, even though it was painful.

Before going to Israel, I’ll admit I expected things to feel overwhelmingly political. But it wasn’t like that at all. People held very different viewpoints —passionately so — yet their shared love for Israel brought them together. It was powerful to see that diversity of thought. Birthright let me witness those differences up close, hear from people across the spectrum, and realize that Jewish identity and love of Israel can hold many voices at once. Part of the beauty of Judaism is that there isn’t always one answer, and complexity is part of our tradition.

The war changed our trip in ways none of us could’ve anticipated. I remember waking up one night in Jerusalem to phone alerts about war with Iran. At first we didn’t know what was happening, and I felt scared. But once again, I felt safe because of our staff and the Israelis with us. My family back home was more worried than I was. Even when we ended up spending nights in bomb shelters or stuck inside a hotel, I never doubted that we were being taken care of. When we got the email that we were being evacuated and would be leaving Israel on a boat to Cyprus, I was shocked, but again, I didn’t panic. Birthright had a plan. Our staff reassured us, and our group stayed together. It was surreal, but I never felt alone.

Looking back now, I see how much Birthright Israel changed me. Living through those moments in Israel showed me how strong and resilient Israelis are in their daily lives. It also erased the doubt I had carried about not being Jewish enough. I feel prouder than ever to identify as Jewish and to celebrate that identity. I want to keep learning, to keep growing, and to go back to Israel.

Since returning home, I feel more connected than I ever have, and I want to share that with others. Birthright Israel gave me that gift. It let me see Israel for myself, meet people my age who live there, and discover my own connection to Jewish life. That’s something I’ll carry forever.