Matthew Levine, a 2024 graduate from Rutgers with a major in supply chain and data analytics, embarked on a transformative journey this summer. He joined the JLIC volunteer trip which was in partnership with Birthright Israel Onward program, the trip ran from July 4 to July 17. This trip included 14 days of immersive experiences, with one Shabbat and eight days dedicated to volunteering.
The Israel volunteer trips focus on meaningful service and education. Participants spend time volunteering in Jerusalem, learning about the events of October 7 in Ofakim, and working with Yahel, an organization that organizes local project-based volunteer opportunities. They also visit the Nova Memorial and Hostage Square, adding depth to their understanding of Israel’s history and current challenges.
Matthew’s participation in the summer mission trip came about through a fortunate coincidence. Two days before he had to make a decision, Rabbi Avi Schwartz, the JLIC director at Rutgers, reached out to Matthew, offering him a spot on the trip. Despite his initial hesitations, Matthew, who was already on a religious journey, overcame his excuses and embraced the opportunity.
Throughout his time at Rutgers, Matthew had been actively involved in volunteer work and had recently taken significant steps towards growing his religious observance. He grew up modern orthodox, however didn’t spend a gap year in Israel, but in his last year of college, he decided to become more religious by starting to wearing tzitzit again, davening three times a day, and engaging more with his faith. He also was a regular participant in the annual JLIC Rutgers dodgeball tournament, highlighting his commitment to the campus Jewish community.
Upon arriving in Israel, Matthew initially felt uncertain about the trip. However, he quickly connected with friends nearby and another who was making aliyah. Noam, the group’s madrich, was incredibly supportive and helpful. Living at TVA (Torah V’Avodah) gave Matthew the chance to learn in the yeshiva during some of his free time. He appreciated being in Baka, where the English-speaking environments made his stay more comfortable, and it was conveniently close to many of the groups volunteer activities.
Matthew would spend some of his downtime learning and found making tzitzit to be a particularly meaningful volunteer event. The visit to the Nova Memorial was profoundly moving, and although the trip to a kibbutz near Gaza was uncomfortable, it was a necessary experience that added to his understanding of the current situation.
Spiritually, the trip was uplifting for Matthew. He had been trying to find his place religiously and used his time in Israel to learn on the longer bus rides and engage deeply with his faith. When a scheduled Mishmar was canceled, Matthew profusely asked if the Mishmar could still take place but be voluntary so only those truly interested would attend and he along with two of his peers he met on the trip gave inspirational shiurim. During this process, he reconnected with his love for learning, especially when he delved into the topic of the inverted nuns, which happened to be part of his bar mitzvah parsha. This experience was one of the best feelings he ever had, and he spent four days preparing his shiur.
Matthew realized he wasn’t writing this Mishmar just for the program but for himself, and it made him genuinely happy. He expressed his intention to continue giving Mishmar shiurs back home. After delivering his shiur, he felt an immense sense of accomplishment and joy.
Matthew became so engrossed with the trip that he forgot about the incentive Rabbi Avi had offered him – learning together in person during the week if he went on the trip. Reflecting on the experience, Matthew described it as “one of the best times ever.” He made many friends, and the trip opened his eyes, instilling in him a love for Israel and a newfound interest in making aliyah.
Matthew Levine’s journey with the JLIC Birthright Israel Onward volunteer trip was a blend of service, learning, and personal growth, leaving him with a deep connection to his faith and a renewed sense of purpose.
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