Hillsdale students visited Masada during the Passages trip. Courtesy | Michael Murray

Seven Hillsdale students spent nine days of their winter break in Israel with Passages, visiting Capernaum, Jerusalem, and Nazareth.

They traveled with students from Patrick Henry College and some students from Kansas City University and Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The group was on the ground in Israel from Dec. 29 to Jan. 6.

“I can now envision the Sea of Galilee or the Garden of Gethsemane closest to its true form as I read scripture or pray or sing praises to God,” said freshman Haven Socha. 

Senior Noah Schmidt served as a Passages fellow. In this role, he helped lead the group of students during the nine days they were in Israel. This included mentoring students, helping them experience the culture, leading conversations, aiding with trip logistics, and fostering community in the group both before it left for Israel and while there. 

“I visited Israel two years ago with Passages and loved the trip so much that I wanted to return in the role of a trip fellow to see Israel again, soak up more of the experience, and meet new people,” Schmidt said.

Michael Murray, head of gift and estate planning, was a chaperone on the trip.

Murray said the itinerary was different from previous Passages trips because of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 and the violence in its aftermath.

“We did not visit the Golan Heights or Bethlehem this time, but we had the opportunity to do a day of volunteering and visit other places I did not see last time, like the Valley of Elah where David killed Goliath,” Schmidt said.

While the group heard a cautionary warning at around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 3, Murray said the group was never in danger. 

Passages posted a statement on its website stating a ballistic missile from Yemen entered Israeli airspace, reportedly leaving debris 30 minutes away from Jerusalem where the Passages members were staying. While Israel successfully intercepted it, those on the trip heard sirens in Jerusalem and sheltered per protocol.

“Passages consults with multiple security sources daily to make sure what we do is safe, and I never felt in danger while we were in Israel,” Schmidt said. 

Schmidt said seeing the aftermath of Oct. 7, 2023, firsthand made the events of that day take on an entirely new weight. Kfar Aza is a kibbutz — essentially a small village — on the Israel side of the Gaza border. It was attacked on Oct. 7.

“I cannot look at Oct. 7 as I did before the trip after visiting Kfar Aza, seeing the damage, and hearing people from the kibbutz talk about the horrors they experienced and the friends they have who are still held hostage in Gaza,” Schmidt said.

Socha said she saw the reality and devastation that came upon the Israeli people on Oct. 7 after visiting sites like the Nova musical festival, the Kfar Aza kibbutz, and the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center. 

“All generations, and specifically my generation, will never forget Oct. 7 just as we will never forget the souls on 9/11,” Socha said.

Socha said she sought to be a peacemaker during the trip by listening to the Israelis’ perspective and standing by them in this time of trouble. 

“The Israeli people were calm and at peace, despite being surrounded by danger on all sides,” Socha said. “When they wake up every morning, they know they can make a difference for their country. They are unified as one big family and have a purpose to take care of each other.”

Socha said during their Shabbat dinner during the Sabbath, she met a Jewish mother of three children who told her Israelis live each day to the fullest because they never know which day will be the last. 

“That reminded me of how thankful I am for the precious life God has given me,” Socha said.

Schmidt said his favorite part of the trip was the opportunity to experience Israel in a leadership role rather than just as a participant. 

Murray said the trip was an incredible learning experience. 

“I highly recommend it for all students, faculty and staff,” he said. “I learned so much from the students, Passages staff, tour guides, and all the people we met on our journey.”

Schmidt said he encourages students to ask those who went on the trip about their experiences and to seriously consider going on the trip in the future.

“Visiting Israel is sometimes considered to be the fifth gospel, and after going to Israel with Passages twice, I affirm that the trip is that valuable,” Schmidt said.