Roslyn C., Cheshire, CT, attended Gem 9, Spring, 2010:

"Although I've had several other stays in Israel, this one was the most inspirational and spiritual."

Marilyn S., Yorba Linda, CA, attended Gem 9, Spring, 2010:

" I most enjoyed the nourishment for my soul and the wonderful opportunity to connect with the others in the group."

Valerie K., Langhorne, PA, attended Gem 9, Spring, 2010:

"I realized that all my life I longed to become more spiritual and Gem showed me a clear way to do it."

Arlene K., Bronx, NY, attended Gem 9, Spring, 2010:

"[One of the things I enjoyed most was] seeing Jewish life in the homes we visited."

Sheila Kochman, Howell, NJ, attended Gem 3, Fall 2006:

[Participants were sent a photo album of their trip.] "The pictures came out great! It brought back so many memories. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to go on GEM. I think about the learning experiences and the people I met and how I can use it in my everyday life. I feel that I have been spiritually uplifted by the GEM program."

Janet Rothman, San Francisco, CA, attended Gem 3, Fall 2006:

"I found the program to be stunning."

Theda Zuckerman, Manhattan, NY, attended Gem 1, 2 and 3:

"The GEM program is an exceptional combination of learning and love; Torah learning, understanding of the challenges we face as Jews, love for Jewish values, love for Jerusalem and love for the Land of Israel. With the guidance of wonderful teachers and shared experiences, we listened, we questioned and we helped one another articulate our beliefs and our doubts. We supported and encouraged each other on our different paths to greater knowledge and connection.
The AISH community in Jerusalem is amazing. It is the embodiment of what living an authentic Torah life truly means. The impression it created on me has given me the inspiration and the courage to try and create the sense of community and humanity that was extended to all of us for the twelve days we studied, visited and "dwelt" among these truly wonderful people.
In short, it was a spiritual shot in the arm. I look forward to returning."

Judy Burnett, Irvine, CA, attended Gem 2, Fall 2005:

"Every trip I take to Israel has a profound affect on me, but spending two weeks in the Old City of Jerusalem with an amazing group of women learning Torah exceeded any expectation I had. The Gem Program truly changed my life! I came home with my spiritual batteries recharged ready to put into practice the tools I had learned."

Judi Kirk, Woodbury, NY, attended Gem 2, Fall 2005:

"We were women with varying experiences, background and expectations. We ranged in age from 30's to 60's. We ranged from a Sabbath observant woman to a bewildered mother of children who had become Sabbath observers, quite a different path from the one that mother had picked.
We each came for different reasons, we thought. But we actually came with one purpose - to grow.
As an adult I began to explore my roots. Along the way I found my Source and have been exploring who I am and why I am living. On Gem, I was able to go to classes with teachers who had the names of authors I'd been reading on Aish.com for several years. What an incredible opportunity to meet and be taught by Rabbis Zelig Pliskin, Motti Berger and Ken Spiro, Rebbetzin Tzipporah Heller, Lisa Aiken, Sarah Rigler and others. We had many teachers so brilliant and inspiring that I was filled with joy at being in Israel and Jewish.
Our group leader had us in her Old City home for many of the classes. Additionally, other families had us to their homes. Israel is a land of Jewish mothers! We also had the privilege of meeting Aish leaders, Rabbi and Rebbitzen Weinberg, and being inspired right there, in front of the Western Wall!
I have recommended the Gem program to many women who have interest in Jewish issues as well as to the wives of men who have found a desire to explore their Judaism. For anyone who loves learning, the opportunity to grow and to study at the center of the world, Jerusalem, is an experience that will be cherished eternally. For reluctant parents or children of people returning to Jewish roots, you may get to understand your loved one's journey more."

Jo Brabson, Warrenton, VA, attended Gem 1, Spring 2005:

"After discovering on aish.com the ability to study with women my own age, the need to go to Israel was strong. I felt the power of the land calling to me and when I arrived I understood the pull of my heart. I was home...
The classes taught to us were on target and everyone eagerly answered questions that generated more questions. The locations, the tours, the graciousness of the people we visited with made me realize that only in Israel can you learn what being Jewish really is. The women that I met and studied with are a part of my family now and I anxiously wait to hear from them. Long distance learning with new friends and old make the time away from Israel easier to bear....knowing that someday I'll be going back! It's an opportunity you don't want to miss and you'll be forever grateful that you participated in this program!!! "

Paulette Franco, Los Angeles, CA, attended Gem 4, Spring 2007:

"You find yourself fascinated with every small step you take. With every step, something new is revealed about world history, civilization, and is relevant to the world today - both globally and personally."

"I was recently in Jerusalem for 11 days [on Gem 4]. I saw learned, and experienced a lot of interesting things, and met many wonderful people. My pics from the trip are now on the internet. To view my album, click on the following link (or copy and paste it into your web browser)": http://web.mac.com/cschnitz/iWeb/Site/Shalom%20and%20Welcome.html