" Hi Kayla, Thank you is really an inadequate phrase to capture the depth of gratitude I have for all of the support, expertise, and thoughtfulness that you and your colleagues put into making my dream of a temple Israel trip a reality. I am so grateful for everything. The trip was a marvelous and profound experience for every participant. For my own family it was phenomenal and for me as both rabbi and family member, it was important and transformative. I appreciate your friendship and your enthusiastic and expert help. I was so glad you were able to come see us in Caesaria on our last night. I certainly will help to spread the word that Keshet is the first place to go when considering an Israel experience. Please let me know what I can do to help with your efforts, and know that there is already enough of a buzz that I hope I'll be able to come to you soon to help plan another trip! Can you provide me with emails for Marty and Ayelet? I'd love to thank them personally, but realize that while many in the group got their contact information, I didn't! Thanks for everything. I hope the remainder of the summer is good, and I hope to see you soon. "

To Our Friends at Keshet: 
 Now that we have all returned to our normal, everyday lives, I wanted to take a moment to write and thank you. All of us had certain expectations as we were boarding the flight to Tel Aviv but by the end of our trip, there was no question that our expectations were exceeded ten-fold. From the moment we stepped off the airplane to the time we were brought to the airport, every detail of the trip was planned perfectly. 
 
Even more than the incredible itinerary, were the Keshet professionals which catered to our every need. Words cannot express how much we loved our guide Phillip Alexander, someone I hope to personally keep in touch with forever. His insight, devotion and knowledge was evident during each moment of the trip. Phillip was even kind enough to take us to his home, Kibbutz Ein-Zurim, have our laundry done, feed us and give the group a glimpse into kibbutz life. This is just one incident, in a list of many, where Phillip went out of his way to make our trip extra special. Furthermore, Sivan our guard, and Reuven our driver, were also absolutely incredible (I never knew anyone could fit a coach bus in such tight spaces). 
 
As a Rabbi, it was my goal to have the group make a deep spiritual connection to the land.  Every single member of the group did just that. Furthermore, the trip also increased their devotion and connection to Judaism, something that has been evident back here in New York as well. I hope that all of you know what an impact you are making on the future of our religion and Israel. 
 
On a personal level, it was so incredible to have one of our “own,” Peter Abelow, be a part of the process. Peter’s parents were instrumental in allowing Temple Beth Shalom to be the vibrant place that it is today, and it was so moving to have him help us get to the Jewish homeland for the first time in the synagogue’s history. I only pray that other synagogues use Keshet for their future trips. It is truly their loss if they don’t. I can’t wait for the next Mahopac trip and hope that it will be very soon in the future. 


Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I have worked closely with Keshet in planning five congregational trips to Israel. I recommend Keshet very highly as a special partner in fashioning very memorable experiences for our travelers. They are, first of all, very good listeners. They have consistently taken to heart my vision for the group. Then, with their ability as educators, their knowledge of the land, and their rich network of connections, they weave together an exceptional itinerary. It has always been educationally sound, rich in meetings with remarkable people, and ambitious. Maybe too ambitious at times! The quality of the guiding has been uniformly excellent. They insist that there be time set aside along the way for reflecting and for sharing after the high impact moments that our people experience. 
I do not know of alternatives that offer the quality that Keshet provides.

Dear Danny,

It was an amazing trip – thanks in large measure to you. As I said at the closing session our group was blessed to be cared for by you and to be nourished through your story telling – telling the unique, human-scale stories that mark our people’s journey through and living in the land. Your caring regard, listening ear, and warm heart touched all of us. I look forward to reading the evaluations too. Thank you. 

Our synagogue’s experience with and growing relationship with Keshet is enriching indeed.



Dear Yitzhak,

I have no words to describe the incredible experience I had when visiting Israel with a group from my congregation this summer. I have been to Israel many times, but this trip was absolutely unique, exhilarating and spiritual.

First and foremost let me express my thanks for all the hard work that went into planning this “Israel Family Adventure.” I am grateful for the timely returned calls, the prompt answer to all of our questions and the straightforward manner in which we were treated by Keshet during the planning stage of our trip. At no time did I feel like a “client” that was being provided a service, I truly felt like I was part of an extended family in Israel. Beyond the planning and the careful putting together of the itinerary by Kayla and all of other Keshet staff, I must also congratulate you for the wise choice in the guide for our group. Phillip Alexander, our Moreh Derech, was an absolute pleasure to be with but above all, an inspiration throughout the two weeks that we shared together. 

Phillip’s knowledge of Israel and his passion for The Land transformed our time in Israel from a regular tour into a true educational, experiential and spiritual experience. In one way or another, Phillip challenged both veterans of Israel trips and those who had never been there before to feel not only a connection for Israel, but to fall in love with our Eretz HaKodesh again and again and again. The way in which Phillip personalized our experience through stories, teaching and his own personal experience captivated our group. I would venture to say that Phillip is an ideal match for any Conservative congregation engaged in an Israel Family Adventure. He was both open and respectful of our approach to Judaism and observance. He was not only patient with our children but was really a vivid part of their Israel adventure. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the outstanding work of Yossi our Sercuirty Guard, Henri our Driver and Dorit our Youth Counselor, without them the trip would have not been the same either. 

In closing, there aren’t enough words of praise for our Israel Family Adventure this summer under Keshet’s partnership. May this be the beginning of a long relationship and the first of many more wonderful “Israel experiences” together.

"I have always felt a deep connection to Israel even though I had never visited...I loved connecting the visit to everything I had been taught and had read about and learning how the geography is so intertwined in the history and politics"

"We were looking forward to a positive family experience with a positive Israel experience. We got it! We were able to do almost everything we has planned, even though our declaration ahead of time was that we would be flexible and do whatever we could. We did more! We found the way to experience almost everything together, both the young and the old, the new visitors and the veterans.

"The tour plan with Keshet is not an itinerary - it's a curriculum. No stop is a "site." Rather, every destination is seen as an opportunity to understand the unfolding story of the Jewish people. Yitzhak and his staff turn tourists into pilgrims. They treat us not as clients but as chevre . They involve themselves with us as Jews on a search for the lessons Israel has to teach us. After such a personal, caring, engaging experience for myself, my family, and my congregation, I cannot imagine traveling in Israel with any group but Keshet."

"Outstanding! The depth and breadth of experiences is staggering. We all got so many unique perspectives, thought- provoking and magical. I appreciate the flexibility that was offered at times, allowing for different options when requested, that must have added to the challenge in logistics. This was so meaningful. I would recommend Keshet highly."

"This was my first trip to Israel, and I'll remember it forever. The early mornings, late nights, and long days were completely worth it. I ended up enjoying the things that I originally didn't want to do, and there was not a single experience that I would have completely eradicated from the trip. I love Israel and I feel so connected now."