With immigration issues in the daily headlines, there’s no better time to visit Phoenix, Tucson, and Nogales, Arizona, to meet with organizations and people directly affected and enforcing the flow of migrants from Mexico to the United States.
Join Tamid of Hebrew College and Tzedek America this fall for an immigration justice adult learning trip to the border from Nov. 10-13, 2025.
Learning in Phoenix
The Phoenix portion of the journey introduces participants to a diverse array of voices that may include meetings with:
- Eddie Chavez Calderon, an activist with personal experience as an immigrant and one of the trip’s educators, offers a deeply personal lens on the issues.
- Alma Hernandez, a Jewish state assembly member of Mexican descent, adds a multifaceted perspective that blends legislative insight with cultural nuance.
- Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, a prolific writer and founder of several nonprofits, brings a passionate Jewish voice to the conversation around justice.
The group will also meet with a Homeland Security agent for a candid conversation about immigration enforcement and hear first-hand accounts from asylum seekers navigating life in the U.S. Visits to immigrant-owned businesses and meetings with local nonprofit leaders deepen the sense of connection to the community.
Listening in Tucson
In Tucson, participants will engage with local clergy and immigration attorneys, exploring how faith and law intersect in efforts to support immigrants. One of the most thought-provoking moments comes from a session with Chris Montoya, a retired border patrol agent with over two decades of experience. His stories and reflections often spark meaningful—and at times challenging—dialogue, underscoring the importance of nuance in complex issues.
South of Tucson is the small community of Arivaca, a rural village known for its blend of activists and militia families. Here, participants meet with volunteers from Tucson Samaritans and People Helping People, two organizations committed to providing humanitarian aid in the desert. Their work—leaving water along migrant paths to prevent deaths from dehydration—embodies the Jewish principle of pikuach nefesh, the mandate to save a life above all else. A desert walk to leave water for migrants gives participants a first-hand sense of the terrain and the urgency of the mission. Though it’s rare to encounter migrants on these walks, the act itself is one of hope and solidarity.
Reflection and Transformation
Past participants often say that the most transformative aspect of the journey is listening to the stories, perspectives, and lived realities of others. Tzedek America’s Arizona trip does not aim to offer easy answers. Instead, it creates space for open dialogue, layered learning, and meaningful reflection within a community grounded in Jewish ethics.
By curating personal, provocative, and purpose-driven encounters, Tzedek America fosters a rare kind of learning that welcomes complexity and honors every individual’s humanity.
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