Exploring Israel: HMI Tour Educator Jeremy Aron Brings Insight and Energy to Summer Participants
With HMI’s Israel trips restarting this summer and a powerful new itinerary, there’s never been a more important time to experience Israel firsthand. In a moment when so many Jewish people—and those who love someone Jewish—are feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and uncertain, this journey offers something deeply needed: the chance to see the beauty, complexity, and humanity of Israel up close. To meet the incredible people living, creating, and advocating there. To reconnect with culture, build community, and find meaning in shared experience.
Over the past week, our summer trip participants in four cities – plus some HMI alumni – had the chance to meet with beloved HMI tour educator Jeremy Aron for a special series of “Exploring Israel” sessions. With stops in D.C., Boston, Denver, and New York City, Jeremy brought his signature energy, depth, and a healthy dose of humor to each gathering providing a chance for couples to start to dig into the immense topic of Israel– before their Israel adventure begins.
These gatherings weren’t just educational—they offered a unique opportunity for couples to start learning more about the complexities of Israel in a safe environment with open minds. Through speakers with diverse backgrounds, tour educators without political agendas, and more, our trips have always been designed to help couples learn about the diversity and nuances of Israeli society in a judgement-free zone that welcomes questions and differing opinions. Whether it was diving into these nuances or arguing over who really invented falafel, one thing was clear: the journey to Israel starts long before the plane takes off. And with Jeremy Aron at the helm, it’s off to a pretty fantastic start.
In Washington, D.C., our upcoming Israel cohort, along with alumni from our February Argentina experience, dove into an engaging crash course on Israeli history, politics, and coalition-building. After moving through a whirlwind timeline from ancient times to the founding of the modern state, the room launched into a spirited simulation of Israeli coalition politics. (Let’s just say the D.C. crowd took to it very naturally.) Jeremy also wove in themes from Avraham Infeld’s signature “five-legged table” talk, giving participants a meaningful thread to follow when they meet him on the ground in Israel.
It’s more important than ever to equip our upcoming participants with knowledge about modern Israeli society. For most, this is the first time they’ve been to Israel post-October 7, and the idea of engaging in Israel conversation can feel daunting. Victoria, a June 2025 participant from D.C., shared that “Jeremy’s presentation was outstanding– packed with nuance and insight. I’m grateful to HMI for creating space for the important conversation.” We know that this is just the start of the conversation.
In Boston, couples from our upcoming summer cohort gathered at Hebrew College for another dynamic session. This time, Jeremy mixed things up with some lighthearted yet fiercely competitive Israeli trivia. Even after the session ended, couples lingered—eager to chat with Jeremy and connect with one another. Jeremy returned later in the week for an intimate discussion with alumni from Boston cohorts who traveled in 2022 and 2023. HMI alums came in from as far as Bridgeport, CT, and Albany, NY for a thoughtful update on Israel post-10/7.
Alexander and Julie, a couple joining us in Israel this summer, shared that “It was really nice to meet other people who are going to be there in Israel with us and to get an opportunity to ask the hard questions, the simple questions, and the questions that are kind of in between…[the session] made us very excited for the trip just to get a little background on where we’re going, why we’re going, what we’re going to learn.” Click here for their full reflections!
In Denver, alum Betsy Epel opened her home for a Memorial Day gathering of Colorado summer 2025 cohort along with other Colorado alums, where Jeremy offered updates from Israel while one of the cohort’s own led a Mediterranean cooking demo. It was the perfect blend of food, conversation, and community.
”Coming back together as a cohort with our tour guide, Jeremy, was extremely impactful at this time in the world's history. We were able to get a firsthand view of what's really going on in Israel from someone that we fully trust and relate to. It helped us all see some of the truths that our own news channels don't present to us....It was really amazing to reconnect with our cohort in an official manner. It sparked a lot of meaningful conversations and future plans.
Alana, HMI Colorado Alum
Finally, in New York City, Jeremy wrapped up the series with a bang, hosting an energetic evening that brought out nearly every participant from the two upcoming NYC cohorts. After an Israel 101 overview, the night ended with “Errrrrr?!” Jeremy’s signature trivia game that had everyone laughing, learning, and cheering each other on.
