Mike and Carol Levy wrote: "What an exciting opportunity to be in the land where it all started, with old and new Temple friends and with our Rabbi and Jane. Spending ten days in Israel has given us an understanding of our roots while filling us with a new and deeper understanding of Israel today."

The Friedmans wrote about sitting in services and hearing the familiar melodies sung with such enthusiasm. [At the services we attended] the worshippers sounded like giant choirs. Myra pointed to the "renewal of my faith and pride as a Jew."

Chris and Max Frank wrote: "We received a great education in the geopolitical, historical, and religious realities of old and modern Israel. In the process we were exposed to the local cuisine that is enriched by the tapestry of origin and culture…every person works hard to achieve success, peace, prosperity, freedom, and progress while defending the small sliver of land from all its enemies..."

Margaret Schmit especially enjoyed seeing the Hadassah Hospital Center for Emergency Medicine and the Mother and Child Pavilion. She wrote "The Western Wall was a very emotional experience for me, and the entire trip just kept unfolding new feelings."

Phyllis Seaman was moved the most by the experience of Independence Hall in Tel Aviv at the beginning of the trip. It really put many things in perspective. Michael Seaman saw enormous symbolism in walls – "we examined walls in detail. Walked on them, saw them at every turn and from every outlook. Some built in antiquity, other raw, keloidal scars of lifesaving surgery. He wrote this verse: They say you can see the Great Wall of China from the Moon with the naked eye. But the Walls of Zion are seen with the vision of the soul."

Bonnie Moskowitz wrote "In 57 years the Jews of Israel have reclaimed the desert, revived the language, grown to 6.9 million, built cities, culture, economic and military might. We saw these things first hand as we heard the stories of generations past. The struggles remain palpable as we found a citizen army and armed citizens at every door of every place we went." She correctly pointed to the internal strife among Jews as the most dangerous threat to Israel’s security.

The Moecklers wrote: "There were people we knew only by face. After our time together, we were a temple family sharing the experience of a lifetime."

Iris Bland wrote: "I have summed up my feelings about the trip. It was really GREAT! Prior to going to Israel I had knowledge of the Jewish experience but upon returning I feel I have lived it! She expressed her personal identification for those who live in Israel:"

Sandy Parker "The trip strengthened my Jewish identity, and awakened my interest in the challenges of modern Israel. How will Israel deal with the challenge of remaining both a Jewish and a democratic state? Will she succeed? I've already subscribed to The Jerusalem Report."

Howard and Janet Solot wrote "We also have finally recovered from the jet-lag, the physical exertion of the trip, and we've caught up with the mail and messages. We feel that you and Jim were great leaders. Beside the planning, explaining and herding, your caring for everyone was very evident. The trip was not only great from a learning and emotional perspective; but it also allowed us to bond with other members of the Temple. It was a great trip, with great memories and it was lots of fun too."

Finally Ryan Warner, radio host of WGCU in Florida. Ryan filed a report on his experience with us on the radio. At first he wondered about safety, but this faded quickly as he got absorbed in the country. Ryan wrote: "This was a very powerful time to visit Israel. Not only did we arrive on Yom Hashoah… Holocaust Remembrance Day... not only did we witness Memorial Day and Independence Day shortly thereafter… we also got a sense for the fierce national debate on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to vacate Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip... Israel is an intriguing place where today’s headlines mix with ancient soil... where place with names like "Nazareth" "Bethlehem" and "Jericho" are as common to Israelis as "North Fort Myers" and "Bonita Springs" are to all of us in southwest Florida. Visiting those places is a life-changing experience... for Jew and non-Jew alike..."

Rabbi Jame Perman of Naples Florida wrote: "This is pretty much what happens to everyone who visits Israel. It changes people's lives. and it happened to us as well.

ARZA World is committed to using a holistic approach to the educational experience. Our programs are designed thematically, combining educational and geographical considerations while in Israel. Introductory sessions, usually in the form of interactive programs, (discussions, workshops presentations) precede most topics of study, and site visits are conducted with text in hand, always connecting the various sites to the specific daily and weekly themes. To contact us about your next trip to Israel and the Jewish World call 888-811-2812 or email: groups@arzatravel.com.