Growing Up Connected to Israel
Maddie Landau is from Boca Raton, Florida, but Israel was never a distant idea. Her family visited often, and she spent summers in Israel through different programs. Over time, those experiences built something steady. Israel became more than a place she loved visiting. It became a place she could imagine building a life.
Seeing Possibility Through Summer Programs
Through her summer programs, Maddie got real glimpses of what working in Israel could look like. On one volunteering program, she visited different nonprofits and work settings. She remembers working with a program supporting at-risk youth and seeing how many different kinds of roles existed around it. It made her realize how much opportunity there was across fields in a country that is constantly growing.
“I saw myself being able to live here,” she says. “This is a thriving country.”
A Decision Before Graduation
By her senior year of high school, Maddie knew she wanted to make aliyah. She also knew she wanted to spend a year giving back first, through sherut leumi. In the summer of 2024, right after graduation, she made the move.
Learning Life in Jerusalem
Her year of service, based in Jerusalem, was a turning point.
“I had learned Hebrew in school, but now I actually had to use it,” she says. “Trying to understand the buses on Moovit was a challenge, but I figured it out.”
Maddie spent the year working in a gan (preschool), which helped her build both language skills and a deeper understanding of Israeli culture. The day-to-day routine, combined with being surrounded by Hebrew, pushed her to adjust quickly. Outside of work, she found herself drawn to the energy of the city.
“I loved just walking around,” she says. “It’s always busy and full of life, and you can bump into something holy or historic without even meaning to.”
Finding a Place at Reichman
After sherut leumi, Maddie began thinking about university. She chose Reichman University in Herzliya, drawn to the location and the sense of familiarity it offered. Being in the center of the country and close to family and family friends who lived nearby gave her a support system. She also saw the value in the university’s professional connections.
At the time, she had no idea how central one part of campus life would become.
“In my first week, I stumbled on the JLIC table at the campus fair. Since then, I haven’t looked back,” she says.
Community, Shabbat, and Belonging
JLIC quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of her experience. Rabbi Elisha and Yiska Guberman created a space where she and her friends always felt welcome.
“I’m so lucky to have found it,” she says. “All my friends are welcome there. I never feel like a burden.”
She started attending Lunch and Learns, where Torah and pizza became a regular part of her week, and found a strong sense of community through Shabbat programming.
“My favorite is Shabbat dinner,” she says. “Being there with the rabbi and Yiska is the best way to spend it. I always meet so many new people, and I love playing Jewish geography!”
A Family Decision and a New Reality
While Maddie had originally planned to make aliyah on her own, her family’s plans changed after October 7th. After reconnecting with relatives in Israel and thinking about where they wanted to be, they decided to move as well. Now, she has the added support of having her family nearby, even though she still often chooses to stay on campus for Shabbat because of the community she has built there.
Finding Her Place
If adjusting to life in Israel ever feels overwhelming, Maddie knows where she turns.
“It’s a big world, and I’m just one person,” she says. “JLIC really helps you find your place and understand where you are.”
Today, Maddie is studying communications and thinking ahead to careers in marketing or social media management, where her English is a strong asset.
For high school students considering a similar path, her advice is simple.
“I only found out about JLIC once I got to campus,” she says. “If you want to feel more comfortable and grounded, look for a place that has it. It makes a huge difference.”
(Ed. Note: JLIC programs can be found on 10 campuses across Israel. See the interactive map on our site).
Her journey did not come from one single moment. It built over time through experiences, challenges, and the people she met along the way. Somewhere between figuring out the buses and finding her Shabbat table, Israel started to feel like home.
To learn more about Jewish life on campus at Reichman University, visit us here.