About Us
Why choose a YALLAH! ISRAEL trip?
Our trips are part of the suite of programs offered by the Union for Reform Judaism.
We approach our Israel education through a Reform lens, bringing our values of repairing the world and holding in tension multiple truths. We embrace the “audacious hospitality” of the Reform Movement and deeply value Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) in all that we do. We affirm and value participants and staff members from families of a wide range of backgrounds and lived experience – including interfaith, People of Color, people with disabilities, same-sex or single parents/guardians, those who identify as LGBTQ+ and many other underrepresented identities. We celebrate our sacred moments from Shabbat services to blessings of amazement at the Dead Sea with guitars, song, and full egalitarian inclusion.
In the words of Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, “our Judaism is egalitarian, intellectually rigorous, joyful, pluralistic, and constantly evolving. It is soul-elevating spiritual practice, life-altering Torah study, courageous practice of tikkun olam (repairing the world, and loving care for our community, especially the most vulnerable.”
All of our staff are trained by us – from counselors to education leaders.
We know that the adults in charge can make or break a trip. Our education team begins learning with us months before our summer trips to ensure that they not only know the base material but can answer tough questions and encourage real dialogue. Our counselor training focuses on high-level participant care including both physical safety and emotional well-being. For months our team prepares to welcome you to Israel and to make sure that your experience is meaningful, safe, and fun!
We know how to do fun!
From camel rides and playing in the Dead Sea, to hanging out over lunch and joyful Shabbat celebrations, Yallah! Israel knows how to do fun! Join us to learn new skills, have conversations that inspire you, see all the sites of Israel, and hang out with the new friends you’ll make!
Yallah! israel TEAM
Rabbi Loren Sykes
Director, Teen Israel Immersive Programs, URJ
LSykes@urj.org
Rabbi Loren Sykes grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago where he was a lifelong Jewish camper and active member in synagogue and youth group life. He holds BA degrees in both European History and Talmud, as well as an MA in Jewish studies and rabbinic ordination. Loren brings seventeen years of senior leadership in Jewish camping to his position as Director of Israel Immersives and Principal of URJ Heller High. He has wide-ranging experience in not-for-profit leadership and management as both a professional and a lay leader. In recognition of his work in the field of Jewish camp, Rabbi Sykes received The Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education in 2006. He made Aliyah in August, 2013, along with two of his three children and lives in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Rachael Brill
Director of North American Operations & Growth, Teen Israel Immersive Programs
RBrill@urj.org
Rachael Brill has worked at the URJ since 2012. She has held various positions across the organization, most recently serving as the Associate Director of Camping, helping to oversee 15 overnight camps across North America. Prior to coming to the URJ, Rachael was the U.S. Manager of Recruitment and Community Outreach at the Nesiya Institute, a six-week Jewish teen summer program in Israel. She has a deep love for Israel – she studied for a semester in Tel Aviv during college, staffed multiple Birthright trips, and has returned over a dozen times for both work and pleasure. Rachael grew up in Massachusetts and received her B.A. in political science from Tufts University. After living in New York City for nearly a decade, Rachael recently relocated to Memphis with her husband and their goldendoodle, Abbey Road. In her spare time, Rachael is a competitive sailor, avid rock climber, runner, and hiker.
Ariel Fogelman
Director, Yallah! Israel
AFogelman@urj.org
Ruby Sommer
Associate Director, Yallah! Israel
RSommer@urj.org
Ilana Picker
Assistant Director of North American Operations & Growth, Teen Israel Immersive Programs
IPicker@urj.org
Judy Goldstein
Associate Director, Community Care, Teen Israel Immersive Programs
JRGoldstein@urj.org
Judy graduated from Hebrew University with a Masters in Social Work. She joined the URJ in 2005 working for Yallah! Israel (formerly NFTY in Israel) in the summer and then joined the Heller High team full time in 2007. Judy is part of the Israel Immersives team and oversees Participant Care for both Heller High and NFTY in Israel. Judy is originally from Philadelphia and moved to Israel in 1988. She was a Commander and Hebrew teacher in Basic training for new immigrants from 1998 to 2001, and was also the commander of a course that trains teachers and prepares them to be commanders and Hebrew teachers. Later, she spent six years of hadracha as a youth counselor in the Noam youth movement, and a number of years as a counselor and educator for Yallah! Israel programs. She lives in Israel with her husband and daughter.
Raya Seidman
RSeidman@urj.org
Raya made Aliyah to Israel in 2020 and currently lives in Tel Aviv. Raya most recently graduated from Yeshiva University with a Masters in Social Work. Prior to that, Raya graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelors in Youth Development and Jewish Studies. Raya has grown up in the URJ; she spent many of her summers at OSRUI, she studied for a semester of high school in Israel as a student on Heller High, as well as participated in NFTY Missouri Valley. Raya is passionate about bridging the gap between Jews in North America and Jews in Israel. Raya feels honored to be working with the teens on Yallah! Israel, their families, and the counselors to help create a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone.
Alex Bridge
Program Operations & Administrative Associate, Teen Israel Immersive Programs
ABridge@urj.org
Alex Bridge is originally from Oceanside, NY and currently resides in Delray Beach, FL. Alex graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2015 with a bachelor’s in business administration with a focus in Hospitality Management. Her passion for helping the Jewish community was solidified in her experiences with Hillel and Birthright at FAU. Prior to starting at the URJ, Alex was Associate Regional Director for BBYO in three regions. In Alex’s current role she handles backend logistics in order to help URJ teens get to Israel. She is excited to continue to work in the Jewish world and help teens explore their Jewish identity.
Resources for congregations
Thanks for helping to spread the word about Yallah! Israel, as well as the other 60+ youth programs that the URJ has to offer! These ready-to-use tools make it easy to help each of your families find the right experience for them. From regional and specialty camps, to leadership and social justice opportunities, to Israel and beyond, there is something for everyone in your congregation. If you have any questions, or are looking for something you don’t see here, contact us!