A Week of Global Jewish Travel and Connection

This past week, four Jewish Federation of San Diego delegations traveled across the globe, each experiencing a different expression of Jewish life and community. Our Men’s Mission visited Cuba, our Giborim participants and Honeymoon Israel couples traveled to Israel, and our Pauline Foster Women’s Leadership Institute Cohort spent time in Mexico City. Each journey offered insight into communities that are diverse in history and circumstance yet grounded in shared purpose. Below are reflections from participants who shared what these experiences meant to them.

Giborim in Israel

Alex Kaufman, Program Manager, Resilient & Secure Community, Jewish Federation of San Diego

“What stayed with me most from the Giborim trip is the profound sense of devotion the people of Sha’ar HaNegev have for their home. It is not just where they live. It is where they choose to plant their roots, raise their families, and build their future, even in the face of immense challenge. The regional council and the residents are working not only to rebuild, but to reimagine their community as a place of purpose, beauty, and belonging. Their courage and unwavering commitment moved me deeply.

Being part of the Giborim program reminded me how powerful it is when people come together with intention and heart. I am returning with a renewed sense of responsibility and inspiration to strengthen the connections between our communities. I am eager to find meaningful ways to collaborate with my colleagues in San Diego and our partners in Israel, and to ensure that the spirit I witnessed in Sha’ar HaNegev continues to guide our shared work moving forward.”

Riley Martinez

“This trip has absolutely deepened my understanding of Jewish community, in that I have a better understanding of what Israel means to so many, and I have a deeper appreciation for the variety of ways a person can be Jewish. Regarding Jewish professional life, I feel similarly. I also feel, though, that Jewish professional life is inextricably tied to Jewish community. A desire and drive to support those around you seems, to me, central to both. That is something I felt before this trip, but it was solidified in Sha’ar HaNegev.”

Miller Saltzman

“Giborim gave me the opportunity to create lifelong friendships with peers in Sha’ar HaNegev. I always felt a connection to Israel but haven’t had the opportunity to build personal connections. Giborim gave me that opportunity to deepen my relationship with the people, the culture and not just the land.”

Maya Satnick

“I don’t even know how to put in words the emotions I’m feeling. The past week getting to spend time in Israel with my fellow Giborim participants and the Winds of Change participants from Sha’ar HaNegev has been truly life changing. We laughed together, cried together, but most importantly, we connected with each other. I am excited to see what the future holds for us as we continue together and build on the partnership San Diego and Sha’ar HaNegev already have. Getting to hear firsthand about the experiences our friends have gone through was inspiring and incredibly impactful. I was shocked how much Sha’ar HaNegev felt like home even though it was my first time in the region.”

Reflections from Sha’ar HaNegev’s Winds of Change Participants

Abir Tubi

“It was an incredible experience. We spent only a few days together, but it felt like entire worlds were built in that short time. The genuine curiosity, warmth, and sincerity that everyone brought to our group interactions profoundly moved me. In just few days, we managed to create moments that felt timeless — laughter, tears, and meaningful conversations that reminded me why I believe so deeply in people. Thank you to SD Giborim and to Sha’ar HaNegev Winds of Change for the privilege of meeting such amazing people. For the beginning of inspiring collaborations and above all, for the joy and the laughter.”

Ilay Zak

“This week, we had the privilege of hosting dear friends from SD here in Sha’ar HaNegev, the same amazing people who accompanied me and my friends through the leadership program “Winds of Change.” We laughed, cried, and got emotional, but above all, we felt how special and rare this connection truly is. Sha’ar HaNegev is a home away from home for our friends from SD. A touching, meaningful, and unforgettable week. Thank you for everything and may we keep walking this path together.”

Men’s Mission to Cuba

Johh Erickson

“During the trip, a line from a song we sang at my old synagogue kept popping into my head: ‘I’m perfect the way I am and a little broken too.’

I saw a Cuba broken in many ways: broken government, broken economy, broken streets, broken buildings. But I also saw the way people are. They are good, kind, and resilient. Despite their desperate poverty, we didn’t fear pickpockets. They are not our enemies. They don’t act antisemitic or want to ‘sponsor terrorism’—they want aspirin and eggs.

I think that lyric popped in my head because it highlighted the difference that I kept seeing: the difference between the way something fundamentally is at its core vs what it happens to be like at that moment. The way something is might be the way it is, but what is broken is only temporary. It can be fixed.

Maybe there’s still hope that Cubans can continue to be the way they are and, with some help, fix what is broken.”

Michael Rabkin, Chief Development Officer, Jewish Federation of San Diego

“What struck me most profoundly in Cuba was the cultural resiliency you can see everywhere. Against the backdrop of economic crisis and government neglect, there is art in every corner and music in the air all day and night. The small Jewish community refuses to give up, even if there is barely a glimmer of hope. The synagogue sanctuary was full on Friday night with services lead by a proud and confident young woman, just 17 years old with the voice of an angel. So much of what we take for granted in sustaining our community in San Diego, they have to work 10 times as hard. We all left Cuba changed, with a new appreciation for the people there and for what we have at home.”

Pauline Foster Women’s Leadership Institute Cohort in Mexico City

Sarah Gimbel

“Our Pauline Foster trip to Mexico City was truly transformative, forging a profound bond both among the cohort and with the vibrant local Jewish community. From the welcome dinner filled with mariachi music and fresh tequila to reflecting on the dualities of life and leadership, we deeply connected with the expansive, diverse Jewish life of Mexico City. Visits to innovative community anchors like Yesod Haolam and the Olami ORT School showed us that leadership means seeing a need and stepping up to meet it. The journey cultivated a renewed sense of confidence, empathy, and belonging, ensuring we will carry forward these lasting friendships and relationships to enrich and strengthen the San Diego Jewish community back home.”

Mia Kemp

“Who knew how close the twenty of us could get so quickly, thanks to inspirational introductions to Mexican Jewish community leaders, whirlwind visits to historic and beautiful art and nature landmarks, and guided conversations for reflection and connection.”

Dana Koenig, Director of Global Experiences, Jewish Federation of San Diego

“Our days spent in Mexico City as part of the Pauline Foster Women’s Leadership Cohort felt like stepping into a vibrant Jewish space that was both familiar and entirely its own. We spent time with an exceptionally strong and proud Jewish community, listening to their stories, visiting their institutions, and feeling the warmth of being so welcome. In between the learning came plenty of exploring, shared meals, deep conversations, a lot of laughter, and a few tears that surprised us in the best way. Surrounded by this sense of connection and care, we allowed ourselves to focus on our own growth and leadership. It became a heartfelt reminder of what happens when Jewish women gather with intention. The experience was incredibly uplifting, grounding, and genuinely transformative, showing how powerful it is when we show up for ourselves and for each other.”

Stacey Wallach

“My time in Mexico City was profoundly moving, a journey of connection, sisterhood, and shared spirit. Surrounded by such incredible women, I felt an immediate bond that transcended borders and backgrounds. Immersing ourselves in the vibrant Jewish community there deepened my sense of belonging and reminded me of the beauty in our shared traditions. It was truly a soulful experience that touched my heart in lasting ways.”

Bringing These Experiences Home

These delegations reflect what happens when community members immerse themselves in Jewish life around the world. Through visits, conversations, and shared learning, participants returned with stronger connections, deeper understanding, and a clear sense of purpose. These experiences reflect the heart of our Israel and Global Peoplehood pillar, strengthening the relationships and shared responsibility that connect our communities.

Each delegation stepped into a different place, met new partners, and embraced new perspectives. Our latest Honeymoon Israel group returns this weekend, and the couples will come home with a shared experience and a new chavurah, a close-knit circle of friends that will anchor their Jewish lives as they grow together. We look forward to sharing their reflections soon. Together, this collective energy is coming back to San Diego, all in to strengthen Jewish life here at home.