Jewish Community Partners

Dahlia Siegel, daughter of Rachel and Dr. Joel Siegel is a rising senior at the Goldie Margolin School for Girls. Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemsky Endowment Fund provided her with a Teen Israel Experience grant to offset the costs of her Yad B’Yad Israel program. All rising juniors and seniors are eligible for grants of up to $3,000 to attend a recognized teen summer or semester program in Israel. Teen Israel Experience applications for Summer 2024 are open and can be accessed at Lemsky Endowment Fund | Jewish Community Partners (jcpmemphis.org)

This past summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Israel through a program called Yad B’Yad. It was truly a life-changing experience for me. I was one of 144 teens from around the world participating in a unique, five-week adventure. From rappelling and jeeping, to tubing and water sports, to camel riding and visiting Bedouin tents, each day was filled with fun activities. Yad B’Yad had it all. I feel so fortunate that I was able to participate in this memorable trip.

What made the experience most enjoyable were the friendships that I developed with both my fellow campers and the staff. Our counselors did a superb job of leading programs that fostered these connections. For example, they led numerous learning opportunities with us, including a “bus medrash”. Whether the bus ride was ten minutes or an hour long, the staff was there to learn with us. There were countless educational and growth opportunities on Yad B’Yad and everyone participated in them.

The activities on Yad B’Yad were incredible. Our time in Eilat was one of the highlights of the trip. On the boardwalk there, we went on many rides, including a human slingshot and flying swings. The next morning, we went tubing and banana boating. That evening, we went on a party boat and even had the opportunity to jump off into the water where there were inflatable trampolines and rafts. Finally, we went to the Eilat ice mall where there was a zipline, an ice-skating rink, aqua spa, bumper cars, a ropes course, a roller coaster, and so much more! The time we spent in Eilat was my favorite part of the trip because we all bonded as a group and created amazing memories.

Becoming a leader is an important part of Yad B’Yad. From overcoming fears, organizing activities, and even becoming counselors for the day, on Yad B’Yad everyone stepped out of their comfort zones and increased their responsibilities. Yad B’Yad empowers teens to push themselves to their fullest potential.

Even though the trip is now over, the effects of Yad B’Yad are ongoing. I have grown, learned, and have a whole new community of people always supporting me. Counselors now have whatsapp chats and send regular messages of inspiration. My favorite one involves explanations of prayers that make them more meaningful. Going on Yad B’Yad was the best decision I have made in my life. Although I have been to Israel previously, this was the most meaningful trip. I am counting down the days until the fall reunion!

I am grateful to the Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemsky Endowment Fund for helping to make my Yad B’Yad trip to Israel possible. I highly recommend that other high school students visit Israel whenever possible. There is truly no other place like it on earth.

Note: This essay was written before the horrific events of October 7^th.