Coming Full Circle: A Journey To Giving Back

I went into 2024 with a deep motivation to expand my horizons through international travel. In an effort to break out of my comfort zone, I sought an experience that satisfied my desire to explore somewhere new while also providing me with a group experience that would foster long-lasting connections and friendships. So, when I saw the itinerary for the Inside Jewish Bosnia & Croatia trip with JDC Entwine — Federation partner American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)’s young adult program — it seemed like the perfect mix of learning, cultural enrichment, and adventure.

The Entwine trip offered me a chance to visit the vibrant Jewish communities of Sarajevo and Zagreb, experiencing firsthand the impact of the Federation and JDC’s work. Plus, traveling with a group of like-minded Jewish young adults from the Bay Area was especially meaningful. 

As the trip unfolded, we made our way to Zagreb, where one of my favorite memories was having Shabbat dinner with the local Jewish community. Their hospitality was incredible — they even made a gluten-free challah just for me! I sat next to some girls who were around 14 years old, who came without their families simply because they celebrate Shabbat with the community every week. It was inspiring to see such young individuals eager to engage with their Jewish heritage. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina was unlike anywhere I’d ever been before. I was nervous but excited, especially since I had heard more about Croatia. Meeting the close-knit Jewish community in Bosnia was a major highlight; I was surprised to learn that their community is so small that they don’t have a full-time rabbi and have to fly one in from Israel for the High Holidays. I bought a beautiful stained-glass Hamsa at the Jewish center for my Nana, which now hangs in her home and brings back fond memories for me every time I visit her. 

During our trip, Rachel Halevi [Federation Teen Philanthropy & Leadership Director] and I talked a lot about giving circles. I had been considering starting a giving circle with alumni from my Jewish Teen Foundation (JTF) cohort, so it felt like the right time. The trip reminded me of my great experiences in JTF for two years, especially since I’m still friends with many of my fellow participants. The bond we formed during the trip made me want to give back and make group decisions on where to contribute. 

A few months after the trip, our travel cohort gathered for our own giving circle at the Federation office. The structure of the giving circle was similar to my experience with JTF in that we collaborated to build consensus around which organization to fund with the money we raised. The consensus-building aspect is a particularly meaningful part of the experience, especially since everyone was so respectful of each other despite dealing with thousands of dollars and navigating strong opinions about where it should go. And, being a bit older compared to my days in JTF allowed for more mature discussions within the group about where our contributions could make the biggest impact. Ultimately, we ended up raising over $5,000 and decided to allocate funds to critical JDC-supported social service programs in the Bosnian Jewish community we met on our journey. This felt right to me; it was a way to give back to a community that really needs help. I think it's so important to continue this work at this pivotal period of our young adult lives, being the next generation of grantmakers and decision-makers. I look forward to taking on additional leadership positions within future giving circles to inspire my peers to make this valuable impact in our community and the global community at-large.

Federation giving circles offer a safe, supportive Jewish environment, providing a way to give generously at any level while joining with others who share values and interests to make a bigger impact. If you are interested in joining or starting your own giving circle, we are here to help. The Federation is building collective giving opportunities to bring people together. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, email us to start something!