TOPEKA (KSNT) – Visiting Israel is an important life experience for many in the Jewish community. Though there may be conflict in and around the country right now, many Jews are still choosing to visit.
For 32 years, over 900,000 young Jews have visited Israel through the birthright program which provides generations of Jewish people with the opportunity to visit the holy land free of charge. For many Jews, this is a lifechanging experience.
“I myself went on birthright and found it to be an exceptionally spiritually connecting trip,” said Samuel Stern, a rabbi in west Topeka. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for Jewish Americans, and around the world, to have a chance to see and experience Israel as it really is, and not as they hear about in the news.”
Even with rockets flying over Israel, the Jewish community said the conflict in Iran won’t hold them back.
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“I affirm that I have plans to go this July to Israel, to spend 10 days there,” Stern said. “I have no intention of changing my plans. I’m still very excited for my trip, and for my studies there.”
Stern said he is hopeful the conflict in the Middle East will be over soon, and that the region will find stability in the near future.
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