Ider, Alabama, native Dillon Cook never imagined he’d travel to Israel. As a devout Christian who grew up in the heart of the state’s “Bible Belt,” Cook learned about the land and people of Israel through faith, scripture, and Sunday sermons – unaware that he’d one day walk the streets of the Holy Land and see the stories in a whole new light.
The life-changing opportunity became reality when Cook, a graduate student at the University of Alabama studying communication and organizational leadership, was selected to participate in Jewish National Fund-USA’s Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Program. The fully subsidized experience brings non-Jewish student leaders to Israel to explore its history, culture, and modern-day realities firsthand, inspires participants’ lifelong Zionist identity, and equips them to foster constructive dialogue about Israel and the Middle East on their college campuses.
For Cook, the journey began with a brief conversation after a campus honor society induction ceremony, when he was invited to learn more about Caravan for Democracy. Driven by his Southern Baptist faith and a desire to learn more about Israel, he applied.
His application correlated with deepening tensions on campuses nationwide, as Cook found himself torn between mentors who encouraged support for Israel and peers who expressed strong opposition.
Cook (middle) in Southern Israel
“Some of my student leader friends even said, ‘If you support Israel, I don’t ever want to speak to you again,’” Cook recalled. “It was very polarized. That’s when I realized I needed to do my own research. As a student leader, I needed facts.”
With this mindset, Cook traveled to Israel with Caravan in December 2025, though he carried some assumptions. Aware of the October 7 massacre and the Israel-Hamas war, he expected to see deep anger and grief, possibly even hatred.
Yet, the reality he encountered was very different. “People were saying, ‘Don’t be hateful, choose love,’” he said. “A girl whose best friends had been killed told us to ‘be the light.’ It was unfathomable. Israel’s resiliency was not something I expected.”
During the mission, the students heard from the grandson of two hostages, one of whom was killed in captivity. And at the Nova Music Festival Memorial Site, they met a mother whose daughter was murdered on October 7. Yet, Cook was struck by the joy and resiliency of the Israeli people.
“I did not meet a single unhappy person in Israel,” Cook noted. “Random people welcomed us into their homes. Every person who stopped us thanked us for coming. They didn’t ask about politics; they were just glad we were visiting.”
Dillon Cook at the Alabama Store in Jerusalem
The experience blended meaningful Christian connections to the land of Israel with powerful introductions of Jewish tradition. Cook was deeply moved by the Christian sites they visited, noting the Sea of Galilee, Jonah’s departure point, and the Via Dolorosa as highlights. But he also fondly recalled experiencing his first-ever Shabbat dinner.
“Our hosts welcomed us into their homes, talked us through each course, gave toasts, and answered every question we had,” he said. “The pride they had in their Judaism was powerful.”
Now back at the University of Alabama, Cook says he now sees Israel more clearly – its challenges, trauma, and triumphs. But beyond that, Caravan for Democracy deepened his connection to the land and strengthened his resolve to stand with Israel and the Jewish People.
“Caravan made me realize Israel can be my thing,” he said. “Everyone has a cause, and now I feel I have a duty to share my experience and show up for Israel. And even though I’m not Jewish, I can still ask Jewish students, ‘What can I do to support you?’ Caravan showed me how I can make a difference.”
For more information or to apply for the next Caravan for Democracy Student Leader Fellowship to Israel taking place December 26, 2026-January 5, 2027, visit jnf.org/caravan or contact Becca Norton at Bnorton@jnf.org.
