A delegation of nine teenagers from Israel recently visited Kansas City.
This trip was organized by Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA), and Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J. The delegation consisted of teens from Israel’s Gezer region and Ramle – Jewish Federation’s partnership city.
The teens represented Net@ and Krembo Wings, two programs funded by Federation. Both programs work with Ramle and/or Gezer region community members in need. Net@ is technologically focused, helping Israelis learn and teach skills ranging from operating a cell phone to coding entire computer programs. Krembo Wings is a youth movement for children both with and without special needs.
Each of the teenagers is a leader in their respective program. Despite their young age, they have been given responsibilities of organizing and managing large projects, events and services.
This trip to the United States started as a dream of Hannah Soltz-Aharony, the Federation’s representative in Israel. After hearing about experiences that HBHA students have in Israel, she wanted Israeli teens from Ramle and the Gezer region to experience Kansas City as well.
Soltz-Aharony worked with the Jewish Agency for Israel, Net@ and Krembo Wings to select the teens to participate on the trip. Importantly, the group reflected the makeup of Ramle, which is a ‘mixed city,’ consisting of Jewish Israelis, and Christian and Muslim Arabs.
The teens arrived on Sunday, March 5, and stayed with host families — all of which have teenagers enrolled in HBHA — for the duration of the trip. Throughout the week, the delegation explored American Judaism in a variety of ways.
Activities started on Monday when the teens met with HBHA students and got a tour of the school and the Jewish Community Campus. They then visited the Museum at Prairiefire and the Church of the Resurrection to learn about Jewish and Christian relations in Kansas City. Purim celebrations for the delegation began that evening at Congregation Beth Israel, Abraham & Voliner.
Tuesday was filled with Purim activities at HBHA. The delegation spent the afternoon volunteering, first at Jewish Family Services and then at Jewish Vocational Services.
Victor Wishna, a Federation board member, led a history tour of Jewish Kansas City for the Israeli teens and HBHA’s 10th and 11th graders on Wednesday. The tour started with stories of Jewish immigration to the United States and Jews’ migration throughout the country as peddlers and business people.
The delegation also took a tour of the Victorious Life Church, a building that formerly belonged to Congregation Beth Shalom. Pastor Christopher Collier welcomed the group and shared the history of the building, noting how meaningful it is for both his and the communities’ congregations to keep the many Jewish symbols in the stained glass windows and on the exterior of the building.
In addition to the touring, traveling and time with students, the delegation spent time with Jewish youth groups in Kansas City. After their day downtown, the teens made pizza and engaged in ice-breakers with teens from BBYO, NCSY/JSU and USY.
“All of the people I’ve met are just so nice – they’ve really made us feel at home,” one of the Israeli teens said.
On Thursday, the teens visited synagogues around Overland Park. Rabbi Moshe Grussgott welcomed the group to Kehilath Israel Synagogue and shared the history of Traditional Judaism.
Rabbi Rachel Rothstein and Abby Magariel led a tour of the Klein Collection at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, sharing stories about both Jewish immigration to the United States and how American Jews connect to their roots today.
Afterwards, an Israeli teen reflected on the experience by saying, “You have to be so much more intentional about being Jewish [in America]. In Israel, everything around you is Jewish. Here, you have to make it a priority.”
At Beth Shalom, Rabbi David Glickman continued the conversation about the differences between American and Israeli culture with a group activity. He then asked them to share their favorite Israeli music in a Spotify playlist called “Israelis in KC,” which can be listened to at https://bit.ly/3J9q4UZ.
The delegation traveled to Lawrence to visit the University of Kansas, where they met with Rami Zeedan, a Druze Israeli professor at the university’s Jewish studies department, to learn about Israel education on campus. This was followed by lunch at KU Hillel, a tour of the campus and Allen Fieldhouse and dinner at KU Chabad.
Friday morning was spent at HBHA and followed by a luncheon. Associates of Federation and its Israel and Overseas committees attended to talk with teens about their experiences.
The delegation wrapped up the week by spending Shabbat with their host families. After Shabbat, teens from HBHA and the various youth groups met for bowling and laser tag.
“I loved being with the [HBHA students] and how [the community] accepts everyone, no matter what,” one of the delegation said.
The teens hope to reconnect in the future when Kansas City teens visit Israel, whether through a trip with HBHA or otherwise.
