Israel Through the Six Senses was created out of a deep need to reconnect with Israel beyond tragedy, beyond pain, and through the senses that make it real and alive. I arrived in this community as a shlicha (emissary) before everything changed—before the political turmoil, before the judicial reform protests, before October 7. The Israel I knew, the one I carried in my heart when I came here, feels different now. It has been shaken, reshaped by pain and loss, and at times, unrecognizable.
And yet, I know that within it still lies the warmth, the resilience, the beauty that has always defined it.
Almost a year and a half has passed since October 7, and yet, in many ways, we are still there—still in the pain, the trauma, the grief. There are still hostages in Gaza, and soldiers continue to defend us at the highest price. With this reality, every emotion—grief, fear, exhaustion, hope—is understandable and legitimate.
When we began planning the commemoration for that dark day, I found myself overwhelmed by how deeply the wounds still ran—both in Israel and here in our community. It wasn’t just about remembering what had happened. It was about recognizing that the heartbreak had not yet faded.
And perhaps, we are still far from healing.
Through conversations, reflections, and a careful mapping of our community’s needs, one realization became clear to me: alongside the sorrow, there was a longing for something more. A longing for a spark of hope, for a deeper connection to Israel that wasn’t solely defined by tragedy. People needed to be reminded of Israel’s resilience, its culture, its humanity—of the beauty that continues to exist even in the hardest times.
That is how Israel Through the Six Senses was born.
This program is an invitation to experience Israel in a way that speaks to the heart and soul, through all our senses. Taste brings us into Israel’s vibrant culinary traditions, where food tells a story of heritage and community. Smell evokes the essence of the land—fragrant flowers, fresh herbs, and the scents tied to celebration and memory. Sound immerses us in the voices of Israel, “Kolot Israel”, through music, language, and the powerful stories that shape its identity. Touch and Sight allow us to engage creatively, to see and feel the artistry, landscapes, and hands-on expressions of Israeli life. And finally, the sixth sense— My Israeli Story, a personal connection, an emotional thread that ties it all together through storytelling, reflection, and the lived experiences of an Israeli navigating both worlds.
Israel through the Six Senses has become deeply personal for me. As my time as a shlicha comes to an end and my family prepares to return home, I feel an even greater urgency to hold onto hope. We are not just going back to Israel—we are returning as a family, and my daughter, Emma, will grow up there. I want her to see not just the pain and the fear, but the beauty, the kindness, and the strength that Israel has to offer. I want her to grow up knowing that even in the darkest times, there is always light to be found.
I invite you to join me on this journey—to explore, to connect, and to experience Israel through the six senses in a way that truly engages the senses. Because even now, in our hardest times, I choose to believe in the power of hope.
Learn how you can support healing and resilience in our partner community, Ofakim, through the Leadership Leap.