DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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AUGUST 10 • 2023 | 7

My family was moved 
by Nir’s passion for his 
community and Israel and 
began to understand why he 
and so many others choose to 
live there — it’s their home. 
After some sand surfing, 
we headed down to Mitzpe 
Ramon and checked into the 
Beresheet, our home base in 
the south.
We enjoyed repelling, hiking 
around Makhtesh Ramon and 
learning about this Negev 
landform. Everyone loved our 
Bedouin experience, laughing 
on the camels every time the 
handler said “Ichhh” to get the 
camels to listen, and especially 
loved the meal that was 
prepared for us. 
We said goodbye to the 
ibexes who made themselves 
comfortable near our rooms 
and headed north. Visiting the 
grave of David Ben-Gurion 
was enlightening, and our 
guide Elad provided us with 
wonderful insights. 
Next, we were off to protect 
Israel at the Fauda Base, where 
we honed our interrogation, 
Krav Maga and shooting 
skills, and successfully 
rescued a stuffed animal from 
imminent torture on our final 

mission. After a breathtaking 
Shehecheyanu entering 
Jerusalem, we met up with 
my longtime friend and guide 
Naomi Miller, who took us 
around the Machane Yehuda 
market where we sampled 
everything available.
The David Citadel was 
our base in Jerusalem, and 
everyone loved its proximity 
to the Mamilla Mall for their 
shopping needs. We explored 
King David’s palace, the 
Muslim, Christian and Jewish 
Quarters within the Old City, 
and, of course, visited the 
Cardo and the Kotel. 
A highlight for me was 
watching my father put on 
his tefillin and daven at the 
wall. Although my lower back 
is still sore from crouching 
over and wading through the 
freezing water in the pitch-
black Hezekiah’s tunnel, it 
proved to be fun for all. After 
a quick tour of the Western 
Wall Tunnels, we capped off 
the night with the King David 
Light and Sound Show against 
the Tower of David.
Yad Vashem was especially 
emotional, as my mom’s father 
was held in Buchenwald and 
Dachau (and fortunately 

released) during the 
Holocaust. The disturbing 
sounds and images were 
important in making sure that 
none of us ever forget what 
happened. 
We took a boat ride on the 
Dead Sea, scavenging for salt 
crystals, checking out sink 
holes and taking pictures on 
the “salt mushrooms” in the 
middle of the sea. Due to the 
heat, we took the cable car 
both ways at Masada. Again, 
we ate our way through Ben 
Yehuda Street, leaving nothing 
to eat for anyone else.
The ensuing days included 
visits to Caesarea, Tzfat and 
Mitzpe Hayamim in the north, 
where we had many incredible 
farm-to-table meals. Our visit 
to the 188th Barak Armor 
Brigade of the IDF and its 
tanks was a highlight for all. 
My parents donated a sitting 
area for the soldiers, who 
were very appreciative and 
provided us with a meaningful 
ceremony. My father broke 
down, overcome by the 
opportunity to help others 
while being there with his 
family. 
Next up: Mt. Bental, jeep 
rides with security experts 

along the Syrian border, 
waterskiing/wakeboarding/
tubing on the Kinneret, flight 
simulators and a meaningful 
lunch with friends in Detroit’s 
Partnership Region in the 
Galilee before arriving at the 
Kempinski in Tel Aviv as our 
final stop.
My old friend and guide, 
Beni Levin, joined us for our 
final day visiting the Children’s 
Museum’s “Dialogue in the 
Dark,” The Peres Center for 
Innovation, Jaffa, the Shuk 
market and a graffiti-art tour.
I’ve loved every mission for 
different reasons, but being 
able to share my love for Israel 
with my family was absolutely 
incredible. We visited new 
places, saw old friends and 
made new ones, and spent two 
weeks together as a family. 
We created memories that 
will last forever, and I hope 
everyone will visit again soon. 
I am beyond grateful for my 
parents providing us this 
amazing opportunity and am 
proud to be their son. Am 
Yisrael Chai! 

 

Brian Satovsky is a senior fund-

raiser with the Jewish Federation of 

Metropolitan Detroit

The Satovsky 
family in the 
Partnership Region

Brian’s 
father, Neil, 
at the Kotel

