CONGREGATIONAL TOUR PARTICIPANT
"I heard a very wise comment that I'd like to pass on to you from our incredible tour guide as we were en route to our hotel after having just arrived in Israel. He said, 'Guys, welcome home! If you are wondering why you have not been here sooner, don't ask WHY? You're here now. G-d has a plan for everyone.' With that I cried. He was so right. It was so true. The timing for our family was completely b'shert. I promisse, if you have not yet had the opportunity to experience our great homeland, it will be the life-changing experience everyone talks about. It certainly was for my family... Our 11-year-old told his grandmother on the phone 'Nanny, it was the trip of a lifetime - I can't wait to go back for my bar mitzvah.' Our "bar mitzvah boy to be" said to me on the way home at the airport 'You know, mom, I don't really care about my bar mitzvah party that much anymore... for me going to Israel WAS the celebration.' I thought to myself, wow, mission accomplished!"
N.F., Congregational Tour Participant, 2008