“My world exploded when I went to Israel, because it just got so much bigger,” said Alexis Calatayud, who first visited Israel with Passages in 2017.
Calatayud now works as a state senator in Miami, Florida, and plays a crucial role in fighting antisemitism in the United States by advocating for important legislation that ensures the safety of Jewish Americans.
“I’ve been a pro-Israel activist since 2016, and I know that for the rest of my life this is something I want to be doing,” she said.
After Calatayud visited Israel with Passages in 2017, she later returned as a Trip Fellow, leading another group of Passages students to Israel.
“Passages for me gave me my first spiritual time and place in Israel. And I really wanted to help share that with other young people. So, I turned around as quickly as possible to apply for the fellowship,” she said.
One of Calatayud's roles in the legislature is to connect incoming legislature with the pro-Israel community. Much like how she connected her bus with Israel as a Trip Fellow, she ensures young leadership can connect with Israel early on in their legislature experience.
In the days following October 7, Calatayud participated in an emergency legislative session focused on ensuring the safety of Jewish Americans amid rising antisemitism.
Recently, Calatayud helped organize a solidarity trip of both Republican and Democrat young legislators to Israel. Many of these individuals will go on to have careers in Congress or the Executive Legislature. She saw the value of introducing these young professionals to Israel early on in their career.
Calatayud's experience in Israel has equipped her to be an advocate for Israel and the Jewish community.
“An important part of my experience connecting to Israel and my commitment to Israel and the Jewish people was because of the roots of what Passages has allowed me to explore,” she said.
Calatayud remains committed to fighting antisemitism in the United States and uses her influence to educate others on Israel.
“Because I saw what I saw in Israel, because I understood now the greater context Israel has on the world, I have to act,” Calatayud said.
