By Seth J. Katzen, President & CEO of Jewish Federation of Delaware
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Spring and summer have a way of nudging us outward. The longer days invite movement, exploration, and the simple pleasure of being somewhere a little different from where we began. Travel and recreation, whether across town or across the ocean, do more than refresh us. They help us reconnect to places, to people, and to ourselves.
One of the quiet gifts of living in Delaware is how much possibility exists within such a small geographic footprint. You don’t have to go far to feel transported. From the rolling hills and historic charm of the Brandywine Valley to the wooded trails, waterways, and beaches found throughout the state, Delaware offers beauty that rewards curiosity. A walk through Winterthur’s gardens, a bike ride along Brandywine Creek, a day exploring historic New Castle, or an evening along the Riverfront can feel like a mini retreat when approached with intention. These close-to-home adventures remind us that recreation does not require an elaborate itinerary, just presence.
For many families, local travel becomes a way to slow down together. Multi-generational outings, picnics, museum visits, and seasonal festivals create shared memories without the stress that sometimes accompanies longer trips. In a Jewish context, these moments matter deeply. They are modern-day expressions of oneg (joy) and of menuchah (sacred rest). Choosing to spend time outdoors, appreciating creation, and being together is very much a Jewish act.
At the same time, travel offers an opportunity to broaden perspective. Leaving home, whether for a weekend or a plane ride, can expand our understanding of the world and of our place within it. It invites curiosity and humility, encouraging us to listen more carefully and see more fully. For some, that might mean discovering unfamiliar cultures. For others, it means deepening a connection to places already woven into their identity.
For many in our community, no destination carries quite the same resonance as Israel. Traveling there is unlike any other experience. The sights, sounds, and textures of everyday life—Hebrew street signs, ancient stones alongside modern innovation, and the cadence of Jewish time shaping the rhythm of public life—can be profoundly moving. Standing at the Kotel, walking the streets of Jerusalem, hiking in the Galilee, or floating in the Dead Sea tie personal story to collective history in ways that words alone cannot convey.
Travel to Israel is not just about seeing landmarks; it is about relationship. It is about meeting people, encountering complexity, and feeling the enduring pull of a shared past and future. For first-time travelers, it can be eye-opening. For return visitors, it is often grounding and a reminder that Jewish peoplehood spans borders and oceans but remains deeply connected.
Of course, not every season of life allows for distant travel. Time, finances, health, and global realities all shape our choices. The beauty of this moment is that both local recreation and international travel can serve similar purposes: renewal, connection, and meaning. A quiet walk in a Delaware park or a bustling café in Tel Aviv can each, in their own way, reawaken appreciation for life and community.
As we think about travel this year, perhaps the question is not how far we go, but how fully we are present wherever we land. Whether exploring the richness of the Brandywine Valley or planning a journey that has been years in the making, travel can remind us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.
May our explorations both near and far offer rest for our bodies, inspiration for our minds, and nourishment for our Jewish souls.
