But Schwartz, 24, was tired of feeling isolated and helpless as people around him ignored, minimized, or justified the Oct. 7 attacks. He said he saw antisemitism rage on the college campus he had attended, while public figures he once admired remained silent or antagonistic to the concerns of American Jews.

He decided to do something about it. He said he chose to go to Israel because he wanted to learn about the Israeli people, experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the land, and discover what were his obligations to the Jewish people during this time of crisis.

“For me, going to Israel is a first step in answering these questions,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz spent two weeks volunteering at a farm in Tel Aviv, and one week experiencing the city. Though he flew to a country at war, when he arrived, he found respite from the chaotic political debates going on in the U.S.

“We weren't talking about the war. We weren't talking about terrorism or about politics or any of these things that people generally think about Israeli society right now,” Schwartz said.

Each day at 6 a.m. he would go to the farm and pick tomatoes. With a group of about 30 volunteers, Schwartz said the work was not easy and the farmers were grateful for the help.

“They were shocked and humbled by the fact that so many people were coming to help,” Schwartz said. “We were just there to do a job. We were there to help these people live their normal lives in a small way to continue the Israeli agricultural economy.”

When he wasn’t on the farm, Schwartz was out exploring the beauty of the country. When he visited The Eretz Israel Museum, Schwartz was struck by an exhibit that showcased pictures of protests in Israel in recent years.

“You could just see the passion on people's faces, the agony, and the hope as well,” Schwartz said.

Close by were other photos of beautiful, peaceful moments, like people sitting around a circle playing guitar and singing.

“I think that kind of carries the moment in Israel right now,” Schwartz said.

Though war and political unrest are a normal part of life in Israel, the difficulties do not preclude them from living normal lives and having moments of joy with their family and friends.

“That's kind of what you see in the exhibit as well, this kind of dual life that is both really hard and really beautiful and I think that's what we saw in so many ways over the trip,” Schwartz said. “What I saw in Israel was a story of hope.”

Schwartz left Israel feeling reassured and hopeful about the future of Israel and the Jewish people at large.

“I was left much more hopeful about the future of the Jewish people in Israel and the U.S. knowing that so many of us are coming out of the woodwork to support our people, to stand up for Jewish people and for Israel,” Schwartz said.