Shavuot is a holiday celebrating the time when the Jewish people harvested their last grain of the season, and begin harvesting their fruit crops. A tradition is eating dairy foods including cheesecake, blintzes, and quiches to symbolize the kosher food laws in the Torah.

We recently concluded our 8-day Israel Arts and Culture Mission with a beautiful dinner at the Israel Museum, where our group got to share a few thoughts about what we experienced as we explored the depth and breadth of visual arts, music, dance, theater, architecture, literature, jewelry and textile design, and of course, the culinary arts! Somehow we managed to fit in all of those things between meals!

Israel is home to many of the best culinary experiences in the world. Community members recently returned from a first-of-its-kind mission that explored our Jewish homeland's innovation and cultural diversity through the lens of food. Read a few of their trip highlights now:

Six Jewish Cleveland young leaders recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime journey, visiting Jewish communities in Morocco and Spain with the National Young Leadership Cabinet (NYLC) Study Mission. The trip, which highlighted the special relationship both countries have with the Jewish people, also helped the group understand the importance of supporting vibrant Jewish communities throughout the globe.

Jewish Clevelander David Shifrin shares his reflections after attending the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC.

With Volunteer Beit Shean, Jewish Clevelanders are immersing themselves in Israeli life while volunteering in Beit Shean/Valley of Springs, Cleveland’s sister city in Israel. They're helping the people of Beit Shean with daily hands-on volunteer opportunities, enjoying home hospitality, and visiting the city’s historic sites. Read their travel blog now!

Eleven years ago, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the Jewish Agency for Israel, a beneficiary agency of Federation, helped to establish Youth Futures – a mentoring program in Israel for at-risk youth. “The essence of Youth Futures is an in-depth mentorship between mentors and at-risk youth,” said Ya’ara Leitner Yagen, Regional Manager of Youth Futures in Israel.