Every year, teens from all over the U.S. arrive at the airport for NFTY in Israel not knowing a single person.

If there is one essential Israeli food, it’s hummus. Many Mediterranean cultures lay claim to this humble, yet delightful, spread – but it’s the Israeli version that perfectly balances creamy chickpeas, earthy sesame seeds, bright lemon, and zesty garlic. In Israel, hummus and pita eaten warm is a meal, not just a snack.

Every year NFTY in Israel repeats the process of recruiting summer staff to lead our teens through their incredible summer experience.

I had the opportunity to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem on my first trip to Israel through the Reform Movement’s Sci-Tech Israel program. Jerusalem was one of the most anticipated stops on our tour of numerous factories and tech-startups located throughout the nation.

In this week’s Torah portion, Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16), we read of the Israelites’ turbulent final moments in slavery, and the beginning of their journey across the desert. Just as they’ve been granted permission to depart from Egypt, Pharaoh has a change of heart and chases them to the edge of the sea.