January 20, 2026
Before their HMI journey to Argentina, this DC-based couple understood that community mattered, but they did not know how deeply it could take root. What unfolded abroad, and continued at home, was a powerful lesson in showing up and building lasting Jewish connection.
If you and your partner are seeking that same sense of belonging, read on for a glimpse of what’s possible when you start your HMI journey. Click here to learn more.
Written by Daren and Elliot, HMI DC Alumni February 2025
We’ll be honest with you: before our HMI trip to Argentina, we understood that building community was an important part of the journey, but we couldn’t imagine how it would happen organically.
Building community can’t be forced, especially on a couples trip with people you’ve never met before. But with the backdrop of the beautiful nature in Iguazu and the rich culture of Buenos Aires, we took risks and opened ourselves to learning about each other and our connection to Judaism. In the process, we discovered how to continue fostering that feeling of Jewish community when we returned home.
One detail still stands out to us.
Every single couple showed up — for every experience, every gathering, every moment. No one opted out. No one stayed behind. We were all fully invested in each other, and in the love that had brought us there in the first place.
Love built this community.
Since returning home, we’ve continued to build community with our DC cohort. We’ve celebrated Seders together, welcomed Shabbat, and toasted birthdays.
Each gathering builds on the last, deepening our friendships and enriching our Jewish lives.
HMI has been there every step of the way.
After helping us get started, HMI gave us the tools, confidence, and support to keep building on our own — turning a cohort into a true community. We now host a monthly tikkun olam (repairing the world) gathering, partnering with a local organization to support some of the most marginalized people in our city. It’s become a meaningful expression of our shared commitment to tzedakah (justice) and repairing the world.
Today, our lives are fuller — more Shabbat dinners, more celebrations, more moments of connection. We feel more rooted in DC. More at home. More like we truly belong.
Thanks to Honeymoon Israel, we’ve built a community we can count on.
For a decade, HMI has shown what Jewish connection can look like at its best — inclusive, meaningful, and grounded in love. We’re just one of many couples who now know what’s possible.
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For ten years, HMI has helped couples explore love, identity, and Jewish community. Apply today to experience your own moments of connection, transformation, and belonging.
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