When Ainsley Nuytten visited the Holocaust museum, she never imagined it would later lead to, among many life-changing moments, meeting a Holocaust survivor halfway across the world.
The path that led Nuytten to participate in a life-changing journey to Israel started with a fellowship at the Minnesota Jewish Community Relations Council. Though not Jewish, Nuytten, a senior at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul who had always been interested in issues related to Judaism and antisemitism, committed to the opportunity with the enthusiasm of a dedicated ally. Through the fellowship, she deepened her understanding of Jewish history and contemporary issues — including that pivotal visit to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., where her interest in Israel took on new meaning.
At the museum, she learned about Jewish National Fund-USA’s Caravan for Democracy, a fully subsidized program that brings non-Jewish student leaders to Israel to explore its history, culture, and modern-day realities firsthand and equips them to foster constructive dialogue about Israel and the Middle East on their college campuses.
Caravan students outside the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation
A self-described “news buff,” Nuytten was immediately interested. While her campus was relatively quiet about the Israel-Hamas conflict, she still wanted to experience the country for herself rather than rely solely on outside narratives.
“I’ve always been interested in history,” she explained. “With Israel being in the headlines for the past few years, I really wanted to visit, talk to people, see places firsthand, and understand the realities of the country beyond what’s reported.”
Going into the trip, she admits she was nervous about traveling to Israel. “Before the application process, I was concerned about whether it was safe to travel there,” Nuytten shared. “But the professionals were very reassuring, and by the time I was on the plane, I knew we would be secure.”
On the contrary, what she found in Israel far exceeded her expectations. The action-packed itinerary took her and her peers from the Sea of Galilee to Tel Aviv, Haifa to Jerusalem, and down to the Negev Desert. Along the way, they encountered Jewish, Arab, Christian, Druze, and Ethiopian Israelis, gaining insights into the vibrant and multifaceted fabric of Israeli society.
Nuytten (right) in Jerusalem overlooking the Temple
“I didn’t realize how diverse and resilient the country is,” she said. “That left a major impression on me, and it’s something I’m eager to share with others.”
Two moments, in particular, left an indelible mark.
The first was visiting the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre. Nuytten noted that standing in the place where hundreds of young people were murdered on October 7 personalized the headlines she had read.
“It was a deeply sobering experience,” she said. “Being there, listening to people’s stories, and seeing it for ourselves brought a level of reality you can’t get from the U.S. media. It was unlike anything I could have imagined.”
The second was an intimate Shabbat dinner at the home of Holocaust survivor Rena Quint, who recounted how she was separated from her family as a child, survived Bergen-Belsen, and rebuilt her life. Nuytten was moved not just by the tragedy and loss, but by how successfully she lived after being liberated.
Nuytten (right) in Israel on Caravan for Democracy
“Her home was full of love and celebration, and she was incredibly honest,” she said. “Hearing her story firsthand was both saddening and eye-opening. Sitting at her table and having a personal conversation with her added depth and perspective I’ll never forget.”
Now back in the United States, Nuytten knows the journey is far from over. While the Caravan for Democracy program taught her a lot, one of her biggest takeaways was how much more there is to learn. “They say you come to Israel with ten questions and leave with a hundred, and that’s exactly how I feel,” she said. “I’m eager to keep researching.”
In the meantime, she is already putting her experience into action, sharing what she witnessed and learned with her peers, grounded in the confidence that comes from experiencing the land of Israel firsthand.
“I’ve already spoken with my family, roommates, and friends about the trip,” she said, noting that most of them have never been to Israel before. “It’s not something we’re taught in school, and they’re curious to understand more. I’m excited to bring those conversations back to my community.”
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.
