“Passages both strengthened my faith and affirmed my belief in the need for Zionism,” said Zach Kahler, who serves as a Communications Director for Congressman Eli Crane of Arizona.
Kahler first went to Israel in 2017 as a senior in college. He returned the following year to serve as a trip fellow.
Kahler’s Passages trip was a defining experience for both his Christian faith and future career. From being baptized in the Jordan river to witnessing modern Israel firsthand, his Passages trip inspired both Kahler’s faith and career goals.
Kahler described an impactful moment observing the ancient and modern history of Israel in the Old City of Jaffa.
“While out on a pier, the ancient buildings of Jaffa were juxtaposed against the backdrop of the modern skyscrapers of Tel Aviv. This simple view served as a reminder throughout the rest of the trip and afterwards of God’s faithfulness and how the modern State of Israel is the fulfillment of God’s promise,” he said.
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Kahler’s Passages’ trip solidified his desire to purse a career in politics. He now works at the U.S. House of Representatives as a Communications Director for Congressman Eli Crane. Kahler also handles policy related to U.S.- Israel relations.
“Traveling to Israel with Passages helped further illuminate an area of political discourse and international affairs that I was already deeply passionate about,” Kahler said.
“The trip, the relationships, and the program contextualized my understanding of the challenges Israel faces, proving the need to maintain and strengthen the relationship between America and Israel.”
Kahler’s Passages experience strengthened his understanding of his faith, modern Israel, and international affairs – all of which have impacted his life today.
“If not for my Passages experience, I don’t believe I would have gotten to see the country as holistically as I did,” he said.
Kahler’s Passages experience is an example of a Passages trip going beyond the Israel. The impact of a Passages trip doesn’t end when you step off the airplane.
For Kahler and many other Passages alum, it’s just the beginning.
