On November 4, twenty-four Jewish young adults from across Canada met in Vancouver to participate in a weekend long training retreat in preparation to lead a Canada Israel Experience (CIE) Taglit-Birthright trip to Israel.

Canada Israel Experience provides fully subsidized 10-day organized trips to young Jewish adults throughout Canada, in order to create a truly unique experience in Israel with peers from their home communities.

Madrichim (“leaders”) were chosen from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, London and Toronto to join together for an intense training weekend led by National Director, Michael Soberman, and Alumni and Outreach Coordinator, Shauna Waltman. 

As a participant of a CIE Birthright trip in February of 2000, I know the strong impact the tour had on my life and in creating the desire to give back to such an amazing program, and to the Jewish community at large.  The impact of this trip to Israel stretches far beyond its 10 days – it can ignite a passion within participants towards lifelong community building and support for the State of Israel.

The facilitators of the weekend were successful in creating an environment where future madrichim were able to explore our religious and cultural backgrounds so that, in turn, we can assist our trip members’ exploratory process. 

The seminar included a leadership workshop, case studies, Kabbalat Shabbat service, storytelling, and educational programming workshops.  Workshops were designed for the madrichim to not only learn about programming and leadership skills, but also to experience them.  Therefore the structure of the workshops and the stories told throughout the weekend were examined to enable madrichim to apply them when leading a trip.

Not only did the weekend provide formal leadership training, but also an opportunity to meet other young Jewish individuals who share a commitment to building a stronger Jewish community both at a local and international level.  I found it to be very inspiring meeting with other young adults who were intensely involved in their home or university communities.  The informal conversations that I shared with others were important in shaping my attitude towards becoming a leader for this program.

Throughout the weekend, a strong emphasis was placed on madrichim forming a lasting connection with participants post-trip to encourage ongoing involvement in the Jewish community.  Taglit-Birthright trips can truly be a starting point for young Jewish adults to have a lifelong positive impact on their community.

The CIE Birthright Israel Program is available to young adults of Jewish background between the ages of 18 -26 who have never participated in an organized peer trip to Israel. To find out more information about participating in a Birthright Israel trip, go to www.israelforfree.com