Leading a Birthright Israel Trip: A (prolonged) Dream Come True
by Jordyn Goldstein
Jordyn was a madricha (trip leader) with a group that ranged between the ages of 27 and 32. This age bracket was a pilot project for Birthright Israel that ended in Summer 2022. The age range for classic trip participation is between 18 and 26.
September 2022
Leading a Birthright Israel trip was a dream come true, a goal first cultivated in 2014 after being a participant. At the time, I was too young to apply to the madrichim (Hebrew for ‘leaders’) training program; however, immediately following the trip, I immersed into my local Jewish community by volunteering, and this quenched my thirst for more education about Israel.
I was accepted into, what was then, the Canadian madrichim training leadership program during the 2018-2019 cohort. During this time, I learned so much about leading a group, how to handle difficult situations, the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’, and I learned so much about myself as a leader. Due to personal reasons, I was unable to staff a trip in 2019, then the following two years, trips were cancelled due to COVID. All in all, staffing in 2022 was a long time coming, and I had activities and ice breakers in my repertoire waiting to be used for three years!
I was given the opportunity to lead an amazing and unique national group, aged 27 to 32. My co-madrich, our tour educator (guide), and I really bonded from pre-trip meetings and everything ran smoothly logistically speaking. My goal was to instill not only the same love and curiosity for Israel in my participants, but also a bond that would continue well beyond our 10 days together. As a fellow 28-year old, and this went around our group a few times, making connections and making new friends is extremely difficult since we work full time with the same colleagues of different ages, and we take less time for hobbies. Everyone in the group was grateful to have been given this gift and connect with like-minded Canadians of the same age.
A real turning moment of our trip was our bonfire and jam session at the Bedouin tents. Our groups bond was already formed at this point, but looking back, when I looked around the circle to see everyone smiling and singing along. It really warmed my heart and I felt in that moment I had accomplished my goal.
I truly felt, and still feel, like I made a difference in our participants’ lives. Our group is still in touch today, with several reunions planned for the future (including a virtual challah bake, Sukkot holiday gathering, and a Halloween get-together). I am so appreciative for everything I have learned with Birthright Israel, through the madrichim training program, and through leading a trip, and I am so excited to lead future participants this year.
