Jewish Community Partners

By: Jonah Siegel

Jonah is a junior at the Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys. Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemsky Endowment Fund provided him with a Teen Israel Experience grant to offset the costs of his B’nei Akiva Mach Hach Ba Aretz 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 2026 are open and can be accessed at Lemsky Endowment Fund | Jewish Community Partners (jcpmemphis.org).

When signing up for Bnei Akiva’s Mach Hach summer program in Israel, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Growing up in Memphis, Israel always felt like a world away. But through these five exciting weeks in Israel, I formed a deep connection with our Jewish homeland.

From the moment that I stepped off the plane, I knew this land was special. The views were spectacular, there was palpable energy, and our activities were unforgettable. We rode camels in the desert, and it felt like we had traveled back in time. Hiking was another highlight. Some hikes took us through the desert, where the view stretched on forever under the rising sun. Others were water hikes, where we splashed through streams and scrambled over rocks. I loved the challenge of pushing myself and the feeling of accomplishment when we reached those incredible views.

Another highlight was the people. I was surrounded by 550 teens, all of us there to explore Israel. I connected immediately with many people and made some amazing friends. We sang songs, shared stories, stayed up way past curfew laughing, and encouraged each other on the toughest adventures. Those friendships made every experience much more meaningful.

In addition, Israeli food was on a whole new level. I was obsessed with the warm pita stuffed with falafel and hummus, as well as the spiced shawarma. Breakfast was also delicious and filling, with all the cheeses, eggs, and burekas (savory pastries).

The most powerful part of the trip was how deeply I connected with the land itself; before I went, I wasn’t sure how strong that feeling would be. I’d always heard people say that Israel feels like home, but I didn’t know if I’d feel the same way. Then I stood at the Kotel in Jerusalem, walked through those ancient streets, and watched the sun set over the skyline and something just clicked. I felt this mix of belonging and connection that I’d never experienced before.

Being in Israel showed me that being Jewish isn’t just about today’s wonderful Memphis community. It’s about being part of something so much bigger. It is something that goes back thousands of years and is still going strong today. In Israel, I felt my history come alive. It wasn’t just stories anymore. It was real, and I was right there in the middle of it.

By the end of the trip, I knew I’d changed in ways I hadn’t even expected. I left with a close bond to the land of Israel, my people, and my own identity. The adventures, friendships, food, and the landscapes all came together to give me one of the most sensational experiences of my life. It was a turning point that I’ll remember forever. I’m so glad that I went. I am very grateful to the Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemsky Endowment Fund for helping to make my Mach Hach trip to Israel possible.