Connecting to a place

Ask yourself: which places in Israel connect you to your emotions?It doesn’t matter which emotion: sadness, longing, joy, calm, anger...Which places feel accessible to you right now?Examples: the Western Wall, my husband’s grandparents’ home in Nachlaot (Jerusalem), the Nova site, the beach in Jaffa, and so on.

Connecting to a Purpose Ask yourself: what’s been on your mind lately? What would you like to strengthen, change, fix, or add?Examples: connection to the land, strengthening faith, increasing unity, giving more, reducing tension, improving relationships.

Choosing a Theme According to your goal, choose a theme for your visit or tour and look for inspiring stories or poems that match.Examples:If your goal is to strengthen generosity, you might choose the lookout over the Old City walls from the Mishkenot Sha’ananim plaza in Jerusalem and explore the story of Moses and Judith Montefiore. If you visit in the evening, you’ll see the moon slowly fading above the walls while you sit with a good glass of wine at the nearby food truck.

If your goal is to reflect on your personal place in the world, you might go see The Smiling Whale sculpture by artist Ilana Goor in Jaffa and read the biblical story of Jonah, who tried to escape his divine mission. It’s best to arrive before sunset and walk along the shore or sit facing the sea to watch the breathtaking view.

Connecting to a Time Open your calendar and find a suitable date: choose a day of the week that feels right (maybe even mark when the Hebrew New Year begins), a comfortable hour, and a time that fits the atmosphere you want to create.

Connecting to Friends Ask yourself: with whom would you feel comfortable going? Who allows you to be fully yourself—without apology, embarrassment, or discomfort, without feeling tested?

Bringing It All Together - Write in one sentence in your journal: the date, day, time, location, theme, purpose, a link to an inspiring text, and who you’re inviting.