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7 Things To Do In Israel (Conversion Edition)

NOVEMBER 23, 2021


​You can find a lot of lists that summarize the most exciting activities in Israel. But this list is a special list! Coming to Israel as a convert is a very special experience. For many, entering the Holy Land for the first time is a very emotional moment. I have been living in Israel for 4 years and in this blog article I share with you the 7 most emotional experiences I have had as a Jewish convert. Many of them not only made me appreciate my role as a new Jew a lot more, but also influenced my mindset in a positive way. Enjoy!
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1. Attend Synagogue Service at an Ultra Orthodox Synagogue and Shabbat Meal 

In Israel it’s possible to attend many synagogues without previous registration. You can just show up! If you’re visiting or already living in Israel, I strongly suggest that you visit as many synagogues as possible to be able to experience all the different styles (Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Chabad, Yemenite, etc.) and levels of observances (modern Orthodox, ultra Orthodox, etc.) that Israel has to offer. Trust me, the Israeli synagogue communities will be so happy to welcome you!

In my personal opinion it is very interesting to visit very religious (Haredi-- Ultra Orthodox) synagogues. In the past, I’ve visited the Haredi community and they were very welcoming and friendly. They were very interested in getting to know me (especially after I told them about my conversion story). The people in the Haredi synagogue were all very impressed and even invited me to their Shabbat meal! This was a very exciting and interesting experience for me because they allowed me into their world and during that meal I was able to experience and live a little piece of their own reality.

You can learn so much by interacting with different Jewish communities and I definitely encourage you to visit, interact  and expose yourself with this and many other communities.

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2. Shabbat Services at TAIS (my conversion synagogue) in Tel Aviv

This is the synagogue I attended during my conversion program with Rabbi Ariel Konstantyn. This synagogue attracts an international modern orthodox young community and also offers the most impressive Kabbalat Shabbat service I have ever experienced!  During the services there is a lot of singing, dancing, clapping and jumping-- the style of the synagogue service is Ashkenazi Carlebach-- which is very high energy!

The community here is international, you will find different people from all over the world who attend the synagogue. Most of them are young English speakers who made Aliyah, and, for this reason I personally feel that many of the conversion candidates feel very welcomed here. There are approximately 300 people who attend this synagogue and no registration is needed to attend-- you just have to show up! During service the rabbi always announces the page number before every prayer (this is very good for beginners) they also offer English siddurim.

One of my favorite experiences there is hearing the rabbi’s youngest sons join the service-- they sing so well and are so adorable! I honestly love this synagogue and I enjoy every time I visit. Also, when you go please make sure to not be shy and talk to Rabbi Ariel Konstantyn! I am positive you won’t regret the experience!

Beit Knesset Beit El
Frishman Street 23
Tel Aviv

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​3. Visit The Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem

During my first visit to Israel I also visited the Kotel (Western Wall) as a tourist. At that moment, it was a nice experience and nothing beyond that. But when I returned to Israel with the intention to convert I remembered wondering and asking myself if a wall could ever have a spiritual and deeper meaning to me and be more than just a tourist attraction.

The Western Wall is the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. It is located in the Old City of Jerusalem-- it is the western support wall of the Beit HaMikdash, the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount. This wall survived the destruction of the Second Temple-- our last Jewish temple. 

When I visited again and I observed how the Jewish people connected to the wall, cried at the wall and talked to God at the wall, I started to feel more emotional about it. Other people who went through the conversion process themselves told me that the feeling would slowly grow. But just knowing that the wall was part of our temple can simply change that meaning and become so much more important for you.

​If you have the chance, I would advise you to visit the Kotel many times and you too will experience the growth of your feelings towards the wall with each visit. As time passed the wall was more than just a wall, I realized this was the place where God used to dwell in and that this is the most important place on earth for us Jewish people.


4. Agricultural Work in The Desert 

When I first arrived to Israel for the very first time I volunteered at a grape farm in the Negev Desert (as you may or may not know by now, there are five fruits of Israel which are mentioned in the Torah- grapes, figs, olives, dates and pomegranates.) The Farm was located right next to the border to Egypt and Gaza. During that visit in the Negev I experienced something unforgettable.

I asked an Israeli guy who also volunteered at the farm why he chose to do this and he replied “We have to protect the borders of Israel, if the farmers were not to protect the borders the surrounding Arab countries could easily take over the land. By doing this, we are protecting and saving the borders of Israel. Therefore, we have to support the farmers because if they give up their farms, then the border is at risk”.

After that, I thought to myself, we don’t have to worry about this in Germany, my home county, we know that the Austrians, Dutch and Danes would not just steal German land and change the position of the border. At that moment I realized Israelis have to live with a different mindset and also realized Israel is surrounded by enemies and we have to protect Israel at all times and hours of the day. I felt so wonderful to be part of the collective help of protecting Israel, and also the farmers and their land. If you are also interested in volunteering you can visit www.workaway.org.  that is how I was able to find that amazing opportunity that I will never forget.

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5. Shabbat in Tzfat

Israel holds four cities in which those in Judaism are known to be holy. Tzfat is one of those four and it is classified as the element of air. This city is also well known as the center of Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism).

​This incredible place which offers a lot of spiritual and religious aspects is located in the mountains of the north of Israel. Some of the most important kabbalists of Jewish faith lived and worked in this special place. There is a high concentration of religious jews that live here.

I personally got to experience Shabbat in this magical place. As soon as the sun sets you hear the wonderful tunes of the Shalom Aleichem song over speakers throughout the whole city. Then you see a rush of people through the streets walking to the synagogue. While walking through the old city you will notice that all of the synagogue doors are wide open and you will hear the prayer tunes as you walk by. This is by far definitely a one of a kind experience!

In my personal preference I enjoyed observing the atmosphere much more than participating. Instead of praying in the synagogue myself, I just walked around and absorbed all the energy in. The highlight of my trip was the Havdallah ceremony in Ascent Tzfat -- a spiritual youth center where dozens of international young people dance and sing while reciting havdalah together. I felt like I was in a movie. I will highly recommend spending your Shabbat in this holy city. ​

Read my blog article on what to do in Tzfat here.

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6. Party in Tel Aviv

Before my Jewish journey began I used to party a lot! I actually lived on a party island for four years!-- Isla Mallorca. In my opinion the purpose of partying was to be sexy, getting attention from the opposite gender, escaping reality, losing yourself for one night (getting drunk) all of this to me makes me think of an environment with a very low spirituality.

When I started my conversion process I completely stopped going out and partying because it didn’t serve me anymore. I realized that my values had completely changed, I wasn’t craving or needed to do any of those things to feel validated. I didn’t need attention anymore, I dressed much more modestly and I wanted to protect my sexuality.

Today, I know going out CAN BE a modest experience and, the purpose can be to just have fun with friends, to experience the scene and atmosphere of the place I am visiting, to enjoy the music, the lights and spirit of Tel Aviv.

It took me three years to find and transition into this new style of going out that I  discovered during my journey. Today, I can go out, sit at a table with my best friends, wear a modest dress and enjoy a glass of wine while listening to the israeli music in the background and still get home early! By the way, Judaism allows you to drink with consciousness. Becoming Jewish doesn’t mean to reject anything that is not “religious” but to create a modest and conscious space while respecting the boundaries and having fun in a safe way. So when in Tel Aviv you can also experience the NEW way of going out in a modest way! 


7. Meet Ilana in Israel! 
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I would love to meet all of you! I am always so impressed by your individual and special stories of what brought you to Judaism. I find it so fascinating that Judaism brought us together and I love meeting each of you in person to connect on a deeper level. If you are in Israel or you are planning to visit, please don’t be shy and reach out to me. You can visit me in Netanya or we can visit the Kotel or a synagogue together. I can’t wait to meet you here- in our homeland, Israel. 

I hope you enjoy these suggestions and you get to partake in all of these suggestions I have put together just for you!
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By Ilana Schiffner & Galia Yebra

1 Comment

ILANA
OCTOBER 21, 2021

Let me know your favourite things to do in Israel! 

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About Me

Welcome to "Jewishbychoice"! 
I am Ilana! 
​German, 29 years old, converted to Orthodox Judaism, currently living in Israel. Fascinated by Torah, Spirituality and Jewish values.
​Today I share my experiences on my blog and assist people in their conversion process. I teach weekly Judaism classes and offer professional conversion coaching.

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