A “Birthright” Trip to Ukraine

Levi Margolin, the social media man of Mayanot's Taglit-Birthright Israel tours, writes about a trip of another kind. Full Story, Photos

August 29, 2013 – 23 Elul 5773

Levi Margolin, the social media man of Mayanot's Taglit-Birthright Israel tours, writes about a trip of another kind. Full Story, Photos

By Levi Margolin, Times of Israel

Over the last 373 days working for Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT, I had the honor, privilege and opportunity to meet amazing people and hear amazing stories. I trekked through Israel five times, saw beautiful sights, made great friends and lost many nights of sleep to the Birthright whirlwind.

One thing I particularly enjoy is attending group tie-in sessions. A tie-in session is time for a group to break it down and process the experience, turning the Taglit-Birthright Israel trip from a tour into an experiential educational journey. It is in these sessions that I am reminded why we do the work we do.

I hear many different things but my favorite among them is the reference to the “things they’ve always learned and heard about” that they are finally able to experience. Taglit-Birthright Israel and Mayanot are bringing something foreign, both in concept and in distance, to life, to reality, to their front step.

It is within that exact experience I recently found myself. But I was not in Israel… I was in the Ukraine. I was road-tripping through the “Old Country” for three and a half days.

Before the journey began, we visited the holocaust memorial at Babi Yar in Kiev. We reflected, said the Kaddish and sang a few songs of hope. Then we were on our way for the overnight bus ride to Annopol.

At Annopol we prayed at the graveside of the Maggid of Mezeritch before continuing on to Medzhybizh where the Ohel of the Baal Shem Tov is found for Shabbat. Apparently we were not the only ones with this idea as we were met by about 200 others!

Just after Shabbat we set out for Berdychiv to pray at the graveside of Hassidic Rabbi Levi Yitzchak [of Berdychiv]. Then, we did the overnight to Nizhyn, a remote town east of Kiev where Rabbi Dovber Shneuri, second leader of Chabad, is buried.

From there we headed on to the city of Gadyach to the graveside of the “Alter Rebbe” the founder of the Chabad Hassidic movement.

From there, we culminated our journey with a joyous bus-ride back to Boryspil airport, filled with songs and stories, and resolutions for the future.

As on birthright, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what the people would be like. I didn’t know where I’d be. I didn’t know how I would react.

As on birthright, the sites were beautiful. The people were amazing. The emotion was overwhelming. The inspiration was contagious. The experience was life changing.

As on birthright, I asked myself three questions.

What was my highlight?
– Tears. The tears of emotion after having finally come to a place that was but history to me.
What am I taking home with me?
– “Spiritual Inspiration” I hope to never be able to actually explain.
What am I leaving here [in Ukraine]?
– My hair brush (If anyone is in Annopol, I’d like it back…)
After 3.5 days in the Ukraine, two nights on a bus, one in the airport, 2,000 kilometers through legendary Ukrainian potholed highways, a half-a-dozen cheap Ukrainian Beers, dozens of Hassidic songs, countless prayers, flowing tears, bursts of joy and laughter, moments of reflection and opportunity to share, I’m still finding myself at a loss for words.

After this journey I can finally say, “I know what the people on Taglit-Birthright Israel are Experiencing.”

And they are very privileged.

Levi Margolin, born and bred in Norfolk, VA, is the Director of Marketing and Social Media at Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT

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Babi Yar Memorial
The Hachnasas Orchim Center at the Maggid’s Ohel in Annopol
The Matzeiva of R’ Zuche of Annopol
Inside the Ohel in Annopol
The Ohel in Annopol from Outside
A headstone in the ancient cemetery behind the Ohel in Annopol
Headstone of R’ Yosef Moshe of Medzhybizh, Grandson of the Apter Rov
Davening by the Baal Shem Tov’s Kever
Graves surrounding the Ohel, of the Baal Shem Tov’s Students
The Welcome Center, Dining Room, Mikveh and Lodging by the Baal Shem Tov’s Ohel
Part of the group (L-R Yossi Swerdlov, Yankel Kagan, Motti Slodowitz, Ami Pykovski, Yossi Mayberg)
The Hachnasas Orchim towels
Sign leading to the Baal Shem Tov’s Shul
Newly Reconstructed Baal Shem Tov’s Shul
The Baal Shem Tov’s Shul
Where the Shul of the Bac”h used to stand

Saying a Teffila composed by R’ Levi Yitzchak to be said on Motzei Shabbos at his Kever on Motzei Shabbos
The new Shul at the Alter Rebbe’s Ohel
The Aron Kodesh at the new shul by the Alter Rebbe’s Ohel, donated by the Rohrs
Inside the Alter Rebbe’s Ohel
The Alter Rebbe’s Kever
Headstone of the Alter Rebbe

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i spy...

August 31, 2013 11:15 pm

Yossi mayberg
go Yossi!!

Thanks

August 30, 2013 10:44 am

Thanks for sharing the photographs

Thank You!

August 30, 2013 9:49 am

Wow thanks for sharing these amazing pictures. But even a bigger thank you for labeling them one by one it really helps to know what we are looking at and where it is.

Have a good Shabbos.