Young Israelis Explore the Power of Community on a Journey to Poland

Just two weeks ago, two groups of Israelis in their 20s and 30s who take part in Dror Israel’s community-building programs for young adults seeking connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging set out together on a meaningful and thought-provoking journey to Poland. The group, made up of about 50 participants aged 21 to 35, reflected the rich diversity of Israeli society, including several Haredi participants.

The groups visited historic synagogues, exploring the roots of Jewish life before the Holocaust. This moment was especially meaningful as participants from very different religious backgrounds joined together in prayer and reflection.

The trip traced the story of Jewish life in Poland, beginning with the rich cultural and religious world that thrived before the Holocaust, through the rise of Nazism, the creation of the ghettos, and their devastating impact on Jewish communities. A unique focus of the journey was on the role of Jewish youth movements during this period, their acts of rebellion in the ghettos, their efforts to organize communities, and the mutual aid and care they provided in the face of destruction. Participants reflected deeply on the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, led by young people not much older than themselves, and on how courage, solidarity, and community became powerful acts of resistance against the Nazis.

Participants took an active role in the trip, planning and leading ceremonies and learning sessions at different sites.

For many, these reflections connected deeply to their own lives in Israel today, where questions about belonging, social responsibility, and the kind of society we want to build are ever present. The mix of participants from different backgrounds sparked deep and sometimes challenging conversations, mirroring the complex realities of Israeli society itself.

At the end of the trip, one participant, who had recently completed her army service, shared that the experience made her reconsider her path, perhaps toward a future in education, something she had never imagined before.

The journey to Poland came at a powerful moment, as participants reflected on the challenges Israel has faced in the past two years and the strength found in unity and hope

The journey will continue beyond Poland. In a week, the participants will gather again for a follow-up meeting focused on the future. They have been invited to see Dror Israel not just as a movement but as a home for their dreams, a place to build the kind of society they wish to see. Together, they will begin shaping those dreams into action.

In the current state of Israeli society, it is especially significant that so many young adults are choosing to seek connection—to their past, to one another, and to the vision of a shared future built on community and hope. Their journey in Poland served as both a remembrance and a renewal, strengthening their belief in the power of people to come together and create change.

As the journey came to a close, participants held photos of the young leaders of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, reflecting on their courage and the power of youth to create change.

And this is just the beginning. Another journey for young adults is already being planned, continuing to connect, challenge, and inspire the next generation of Israeli changemakers.