When 15-year-old Max Riter arrived in Israel this summer, it represented not only his first trip to the Jewish state but a final opportunity to commune with his late grandmother, Susan Stepner, placing a message to her within the ancient stones of Jerusalem’s Western Wall.
Max was among nearly 40 teens who went on a summer trip to Israel organized by the Baltimore Zionist District. It was the BZD’s first mission to Israel for teens since the start of the pandemic.
Departing July 6 and returning Aug. 5, the group visited major cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa while also attending such events as the Maccabiah Games.
A student at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland and a member of Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation, Max, who lives in Stevenson, recently spoke to Jmore about the trip and its impact on him.
Jmore: Had you previously met any of the other teens who went on the trip?
Max: Half were from Baltimore and the other half from Florida. The ages of our group ranged from 14 to 18 years old.
While I did know a couple of people before the trip, I was meeting the majority of them for the first time. Prior to the trip, we all got to know each other on Zoom over several occasions, and we did have a couple of in-person meetups with the local kids. But the Florida teens I had never met face to face until we got to Israel.
How did you feel setting foot on Israeli soil?
When I first got there, I was extremely nervous because I had never been away from home for this long. At the same time, I was excited for what [lay] ahead. And it was very HOT!
Where did you travel in Israel?
We literally went to just about every city you can imagine. We visited Jerusalem — of course, the Kotel [Western Wall] — Tel Aviv, Haifa and Eilat. We hiked for three days on the Yam [el] Yam [Trail], we stayed with the Gadna [military program], we climbed Masada at sunrise and we were fortunate enough to be there for the Maccabiah games this year, along with thousands of other Jewish teens from around the world.
Of all the places you visited, which meant the most to you?
I would say the most memorable experience on the trip was easily visiting the Kotel.. This was on one of the first days of the trip. My grandmother passed away earlier this year and my family wanted me to put a prayer in the wall for her. … Our first time there was at night after Shabbos, and it felt very spiritual to me, almost mystical. I felt close to my Bubby there.
Was there anywhere else that proved particularly meaningful to you?
The second place was Tel Aviv. It is a very vibrant city with lots of nightlife and felt more modern than other places in Israel.
What did you learn about Israel during your trip? Anything that surprised you?
Something I learned while in Israel from many Israeli citizens … that I met and spoke to was that they only want to live in peace. When you hear about rockets being fired into and out of Israel, it’s not Israel who starts these conflicts, but they will always fight back to save their people and their way of life. I think the world view of Israel needs to change.
Did you form any strong friendships with anyone during the trip?
I made new friendships with people from Baltimore and Miami. I even keep in touch with members of a host family I stayed with in Tel Aviv.
I was very upset leaving Israel, and one of the reasons for that was because I wasn’t going to see my friends from Florida again, unless I travel down there.
How did you feel when leaving Israel? Do you imagine you may return someday?
I was extremely upset leaving Israel. Not necessarily because I was leaving the country, but I was leaving friends that I made on the trip. I still miss them to this day.
But putting that aside, I do think I will return to Israel when I am older, hopefully with my family. I hope to go with my parents and my brothers one day so I can share with them all of the wonderful experiences and beautiful places I got to see.
Jesse Berman is a freelance writer.
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