Discover the transformative experience of traveling to Israel with the Associated’s Milestone Mission trip! Lauren Rutkovitz shares details about her soul-enriching journey from exploring the spiritual city of Jerusalem and Tzfat to forming meaningful connections to fellow travelers. Read on as Lauren details her favorite moments, including a cookout on a Kibbutz and a meaningful conversation with a Kabbalah artist. 

From the very first Milestone Mission group meeting, I knew this was going to be a wonderful journey. The camaraderie and positivity among the group was very uplifting. We visited many places, but my favorite part of the trip was our time in Jerusalem. The connection I felt there was profound and spiritual. I also enjoyed visiting Tzfat, where we had purchased Kabbalah paintings and got to speaking with one of the local artists. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that his wife was from Randallstown, which is the same place we grew up.

One of the most memorable days of the trip was when we visited a vineyard on a Kibbutz and had a cookout. The group cooked and prepared the food together. We all had our own tasks and learned new things from each other. At the end of the day we came together for a shared meal, which was really nice.

What struck me most on this trip was the sense of community and the connections that we made with other couples. It can be challenging to meet new people and make friends as we grow older, but this trip provided a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. The camaraderie and positivity were life-changing and left a lasting impression on all of us. Since being back in America, we all continue to stay in touch, exchanging Shabbat Shalom texts every Friday and planning to meet up soon.