I landed in Israel last month as part of a delegation of more than 80 North American student leaders, and from the very first moments I understood that this was not a typical educational trip. We came not just to learn, but to bear witness, to see, hear, and experience the reality behind the headlines, and to return home better prepared to confront the surge of antisemitism we are facing on our campuses.
Our group represented universities across North America, including UCLA, Brandeis, Rutgers, UPenn, Yale, York, and NYU. Many of us are leaders in Hillel, Chabad, student governments, and advocacy organizations. Despite coming from different backgrounds and campuses, we shared a common purpose: to strengthen our voices, deepen our understanding, and stand up for truth at a time when misinformation and hostility toward Israel and Jewish students are becoming increasingly common.
Shortly after arriving, we were welcomed by Mark Regev, former Israeli Ambassador to the UK and senior advisor and international spokesperson to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hearing him speak in person was powerful. He traced Israel’s diplomatic challenges from its founding through the aftermath of October 7, and emphasized the responsibility young leaders carry today. His words stayed with me: standing up for Israel, he said, is a mitzvah, because it means standing up for truth and for the Jewish people. Facts, conviction, and courage, he reminded us, are our strongest tools.
One of the most meaningful moments of the trip was our meeting with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog. Sitting with him as a student delegation was both humbling and empowering. President Herzog spoke to us about resilience, moral clarity, and the importance of leadership rooted in values, especially during times of trauma and division. He thanked us for coming, for caring, and for being willing to carry the truth back to our campuses. For me, that meeting underscored that our presence in Israel mattered, and that students truly have a role to play in shaping the future.
Throughout the mission, we traveled to areas directly impacted by recent attacks, including Kibbutz Be’eri and Sderot in the south, as well as the Golan Heights in the north. We listened to firsthand testimonies from survivors and community members whose lives were forever changed. These were not abstract stories or political talking points, they were human experiences, shared face-to-face, that left a lasting imprint on all of us.
We also met with officials from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, journalists, military personnel, and advocacy experts who helped us understand the broader regional and global context. Through workshops and discussions, we gained practical skills in media literacy, social media advocacy, and campus leadership. Every session reinforced the same idea: knowledge transforms fear into confidence, and understanding is the foundation of effective advocacy.
Before we even arrived in Israel, Ambassador Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, addressed our group. He told us that this journey was not simply a visit, but an act of responsibility. What we would see and hear, he said, would make us witnesses—and with that comes the obligation to speak out against antisemitism and educate others when we return home.
Beyond the meetings and briefings, we walked through Jerusalem, prayed at the Kotel, and visited historic and strategic sites such as Hebron and Shiloh. These moments connected Israel’s ancient history with its modern reality, reminding me that this story is not new—but our role in telling it continues to evolve.
This mission, led by Hasbara Fellowships in partnership with IsraelAmbassadors.com, gave me something I didn’t fully have before: clarity. As a student who has seen anti-Israel rhetoric cross into antisemitism on campus, I sometimes felt overwhelmed or unsure how to respond. Now, I return home with facts, personal experiences, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This trip did not give me slogans, it gave me responsibility. I am coming back not only with memories, but with truth, and with the confidence to lead, educate, and stand up for what is right.
Photo Credit: Haim Zach / GPO
I am 19 years old half Israeli half American currently In college at Brandeis University. I intend on doing hasbara in the future as a career.