From RootOne to Hillel: Jewish Inspiration and Connection
Every year, thousands of high school students travel to Israel on trips funded by RootOne, an organization that helps young Jewish students build their connections with Israel and their Jewish identities. Those students often find their way to Hillel when they begin their college and university journeys. Inspired by the roots they planted in high school, RootOne alumni become Hillel student leaders, peer teachers, and advocates for the Jewish future. Here are some of their stories:
Turning Complexity into Inspiration
Tamar Franbuch is a rising fourth-year student at the University of Pittsburgh.
“As a 16-year-old high school student, I went on a month-long volunteer trip to Israel with RootOne that completely changed how I approach growth and leadership. On this trip, Rabbi Akiva Naiman from youth group NCSY shared an idea that has stuck with me ever since: ‘You must be comfortable with being uncomfortable.’ Those words became a guiding principle in my life, reminding me that real growth happens only when we’re willing to face discomfort head-on.
That trip and that phrase have shaped many of the choices I’ve made since, including my decision to attend an out-of-state university (where I didn’t know anyone) and to get involved with Hillel at the University of Pittsburgh, where I serve as the incoming president for the Student Coalition for Israel at Pitt.
Most recently, my experience with RootOne inspired me to co-teach a peer-led course at Hillel on the geopolitics of Israel. It was one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had as a student. Along with two of my peers, I designed the course not only to educate other students, but to push them to engage in challenging, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about identity, politics, and conflict. During these sessions, I saw firsthand how much people grow when given the space and support to wrestle with complexity. I ended our last class by passing on the advice Rabbi Akiva had given me four years prior, saying, ‘I hope this course made you uncomfortable. You must be uncomfortable to learn and grow and to fully understand the complexity of this information.’
As I head back to school for my final year, I hope to build on the lessons I learned from my RootOne experience, and to develop as a leader who fosters growth in others. I’m eager to connect with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, because I know that’s where the most powerful learning happens. And I’m more than ready to step outside my comfort zone, because I’ve learned that’s exactly where I need to be to keep growing and helping others do the same.”
Fueling a Passion for Justice and Activism
Claire Eisenstadt is a rising second-year student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“As a teen, RootOne enabled me to attend Young Judea Gesher Israel. Through this program, I experienced Israeli culture firsthand and engaged in meaningful conversations about Israel and Judaism. This trip to Israel also opened my eyes to the disparities between how Israel is portrayed in the media versus the realities on the ground. Because RootOne made this program accessible to me, I was able to fuel my passion for protecting the Jewish state. And my experiences visiting the religious and historical sites in Israel inspired me to get involved in Jewish life on campus – and to stand up for my heritage.
In this post-October 7 world, I am glad I made the decision to center my activism on my Jewish community. The skills I developed through Gesher Israel continue to impact me in college, where I am deeply involved at Illini Hillel, serving in leadership positions on the Hillel Leadership Council and the Hillel Civic Leadership Committee.”
Continuing a Journey With Hillel
Daniele Mizrahi is a rising third-year student at Baruch College.
“Participating in a RootOne trip through NCSY in 2022 was one of my first real exposures to Israel, and it had a profound impact on me. That summer, I felt a deep and meaningful connection to the country and its culture, people, and history. The experience sparked something in me, and when I returned home, I was inspired to stay connected and involved. That’s what motivated me to become active with Baruch Hillel. Through Hillel, I’ve been able to continue exploring my Jewish identity and building a community of Jewish students who share those same values and connections. This past year, my experience came full circle when I participated in a Baruch Hillel trip to Israel, where I volunteered for 10 days. Hillel has been a central part of my college experience, allowing me to grow both personally and as a leader.”
Carrying Community from RootOne to Hillel
Rachel Barker is a rising third-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“The RootOne trip I took in 2022 to Prague, Israel, and Germany gave me a broader perspective on Judaism and Israel, especially now, in the wake of the October 7, 2023 tragedies. After October 7, UW Hillel and other Jewish campus organizations hosted vigils where we prayed and sang peace songs together. To me, this is what Hillel and Judaism is: community. The Shabbat dinners and holidays I spend at Hillel are a great environment, and they only strengthen that community, as does my participation in the Jewish Learning Fellowship. My trip with RootOne created a sense of community and connection to Jewish history, and my journey with that connection has continued with Hillel.”
Broadening Horizons and Deepening Relationships
Elijah Fox is a rising third-year student at the University of Michigan.
“The 2022 Detroit Teen Mission to Israel was the first time I traveled to a country outside of North America. My worldview widened greatly as I made many Israeli friends and gained an up close experience in the history of Israel. Some of the friends I grew closer with on the trip are now my companions for Shabbat dinners at Hillel. Traveling to Israel with RootOne gave me a shared experience with other Jewish students that has helped me make friends in college. Now, as I have become more active in Jewish life at the University of Michigan, and have joined many clubs at Michigan Hillel, including JenGA, Michigan Hillel’s Engineering Club, I’ve seen firsthand how gaining this wider understanding of the world has allowed me to foster new relationships and grow as an individual.”
Check out stories from more students whose lives have been changed by RootOne and Hillel.