Joining the teens on tour
Judaism. “I’m Reform and don’t go to a Jewish school so I’m not used to being around so many Jewish people. I’m really surprised to see some people here who are Orthodox and dress normally. It’s teaching me a lot and I’m hoping to increase my Jewish circle of friends. I was nervous about it being ‘cliquey’ before I came — and it was for the first couple of days. But now we’ve all come out of our shell.”
On the Yad Vashem visit, a number of the teenagers put on their sunglasses to help disguise the tears. Adi describes the experience as “hard to bear and emotional — especially seeing stories of all the children who were killed”.
Fellow group member Sam Helfgott, a UCS student, also finds the experience difficult. He says: “It’s quite personal for me because my grandpa [Polish survivor Ben Helfgott who went on to represent Great Britain in weightlifting] and his sister were the sole survivors from their family during the Holocaust. It’s hard because I love spending time with my family and to know what could have materialised upsets me.
“When I’m older, I see myself as having an obligation to educate on the Holocaust because when there are no more survivors, it will be easier for people to deny it.”
Another UCS boy, Jack Green, says that visiting Yad Vashem is “the best Holocaust education I’m going to get. I came on tour to learn and have an amazing time with my five best friends.” Also from UCS, Max Beecham says the trip has already impacted on his identity. “I’m pushing to be a better Jew. My dad had to convert to Reform because my mother wasn’t Jewish and he didn’t like the way she was treated [by the Orthodox]. But I’m slowly changing to Orthodox because it speaks to me more than Reform.
“I’ve been to Israel before with family, but I’m excited to see it in a different light,” he adds, casting an admiring glance at Israeli girls in IDF uniforms.
The Yad Vashem experience was equally affecting for students at Jewish schools. “I learnt a lot from Yad Vashem,” says Hasmonean pupil and BA tour member Gadi Melcher. “It’s different when you’re at the place and learning about the heroes who helped the Jews.”
Also with BA, Immanuel College pupil Oscar Wagner describes the museum as a “turning point. You get to understand it more and the terrible things that happened. I would definitely encourage more people to come on tour. It’s education with a fun twist.”
However, the tour is a less positive experience for some. JFS student Jake Marlowe (BBYO) “enjoyed the activities like snorkelling, but wanted to go home a few times. But everyone else had a good time, so I would still recommend it.”
But he, too, was moved by Yad Vashem. “It’s definitely different to learning about the Holocaust at school. You got to see something first-hand.
“We watched a video of a survivor who met his wife at a concentration camp, and they promised to marry each other if they got out. It showed that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
UJIA fundraising director David Goldberg acknowledges that the Israel Experience is “unashamedly Zionist — a bastion of Zionism in the community. This tour is a connection to Israel and a central component to Jewish identity. The chanachim [tour members] are going on to be the future representatives of their communities, supporting communal activities and Israel.”
For some families, the tours, costing an average £2,700, are unaffordable without financial support. This year, onein-five participants received a bursary towards the cost from UJIA via an independent committee process, with a total outlay of £190,000. In addition, UJIA provides youth movements with £210,000 of core funding and assists with legal and financial planning.
Annabelle Lancaster has never been to Israel before. She received her bursary three days before the FZY group flew out. “My mum is a single mum and applied for a bursary, but at first we didn’t get the one we needed,” she explains. “I thought it was a sign that I was not supposed to go, but my mum fought for me and we got the call. We had to run out and go shopping because I had no summer clothes — I didn’t think I was going anywhere this summer.”
The JFS girl adds: “My best friend loved her time on FZY. She was telling me all about the Kotel, scuba diving and amazing activities. I want to get the experience as a whole — the religious and the fun side.”
David Goldberg stresses that the leaders are key to the programme’s success. “All the madrichim are volunteers. They are amazing. Without them these tours simply would not happen.” BA madricha Ella Polden, 23, a Leeds University student, says her time on the UJIA leadership seminar in London and Israel “definitely helped”. Leading a tour “is exhausting and sometimes it’s tricky when it comes to having a fun relationship yet also having to discipline them.
“But to all be here in Israel together is an amazing feeling. Our group has bonded really well and there’s a great atmosphere. I’m so proud of them.”
On her second visit to Israel and in her last week of tour, BBYO member Gabby Lawrence would “now say Israel is my second home. We’re all one family on tour. Lighting the havdalah candles at the Kotel was so emotional. I just love the spirituality and I’m learning so much here.
“I really don’t want to go home, but we’re having a reunion when we get back.”