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