Young Leadership Spotlight: Rachel S.

Rachel has a passion for connecting her peers to Israelis through Reverse Mifgash.

In 2011, Rachel went on a Birthright Israel: DC Community Trip. On the trip, she made new friends, both American and Israeli. Sitting side-by-side with the Israelis, she learned more than she expected she could about the country’s culture, history and people. Her new friends gave her their incredible first-hand accounts of what it means to live in Israel. When she came home, some of her most treasured memories were of the relationships she built with the Israelis.

While in Israel, she also learned about Reverse Mifgash, the 10-day program through NEXT DC that brings 12 Israeli Birthright Israel alumni to DC for an immersive experience to learn about our people and culture. The next year, Rachel was a Reverse Mifgash committee member; she wanted to play an integral role in bringing her Israeli friends to DC. While she loved reconnecting with them, she was amazed to find how much she enjoyed watching others build relationships. Those moments solidified her commitment to enhancing the DC Jewish community and connecting more young adults to their Israeli counterparts.

In less than a month, DC will again welcome 12 Israelis to our community for Reverse Mifgash. This year, Rachel is one of the three co-chairs responsible for setting the vision of the program. She is eager to share the community she has grown to love with Americans who have recently returned from a Birthright Israel trip or who haven’t yet gone. Reverse Mifgash gives young adults in DC the chance to experience Israel without leaving DC, and build the same kinds of relationships that Rachel built when she was in Israel. The program has given her a place to grow as a leader while living her passion of helping others build relationships with Israelis.

Reverse Mifgash is being held November 3-12 and includes a comedy night with Benji Lovitt, a special Shabbat experience with Sixth & I, a night on the town and more.