Author: Young Judaea
YJ Staff Member of the Week
What is your name and where are you originally from?
A: My name is Ariel Rosenstein, and I am from Hofit, which is a small town on the Mediterranean coast, just half an hour north of Tel Aviv.
I understand that your parents are from the United States – how did they end up in Israel?
It’s true, my parents are from the United States. They made Aliyah in 1967. My father grew up in Los Angeles, and my mother grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. They were both raised in Zionistic homes, and they were educated about Israel. When they were 18, they both decided to study at Tel Aviv University, and that is where they met. They started their life here, and their siblings and parents followed their footsteps and made Aliyah just a few years after they did.
Do you feel like you are different from other Israelis? You were born here and grew up here, but did you feel different from your peers growing up with American parents?
A: Yes, I feel like I have somewhat of an American cultural identity. I grew up reading children’s books in English and listening to American music, like Simon and Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, and all of the classics. I think that being the first generation in Israel, whether your parents are from the US or from other places, you are more sensitive to how amazingly special this country is: complicated, difficult, but also essential and unique. So, I think that I grew up with this appreciation that we have Israel to call our home and that we have our own country.
What do you do in life now? Where and what did you study?
A: Well, the most important thing that I can tell you is that I am getting married in three-and-a-half months. My Bachelors’ Degree is in History and International Relations from Hebrew University, and I am now studying for my Masters’ Degree in Conflict Resolution and Mediation at Tel Aviv University. The whole world of International Relations really intrigues me, and I feel like there is a lot to do, especially when it comes to Israel.
What is your job for Young Judaea?
A: At Young Judaea, I am the coordinator for WUJS, a MASA program with Young Judaea that gives adults between the ages of 21 and 25 the opportunity to come to Israel for five months to intern in all kinds of fields, live in great apartments in the Florentine area, go on trips, and learn Hebrew. It’s a very cool program based on independent living.
What is your favorite part about your job at Young Judaea, and why do you love working for an organization like this?
I love to work with people from all over the world and share my passions and my views on this country, and try to explain how despite the complexity, it is very special. As for this organization, it’s the perfect size: not too big, not too small. I love the atmosphere at YJ; we all work together and help each other out. I also really identify with the ideology of the organization and appreciate how it does not try to sugar coat anything. If you want to travel in Israel and get to know Israel, YJ is a really good platform — it enables you to understand this country in its depth.
When you tour, you learn about the usual things, like Judaism and the conflict, but you also get to learn about the real Israel that you do not hear about in the news: the people and the culture. You really get a genuine feeling about what it is like to live in Israel.
You said that you are getting married. Who’s the lucky lady? What are your wedding plans? Give us the details!
A: I am almost thirty years old, and I met my fiancée, Gan, when I was 17 at a summit for a nature-oriented youth movement. Gan, which means ‘garden’, is a very unique name — there are only about five people with this name in Israel. She studied film, and she writes and directs her own movies. Her parents are both artists, so she is very artistic and communicative through art. She is never boring — she is full of surprises and everyday is an adventure. She shares my love of nature, and may even love it more than I do. We currently live in Tel Aviv, and though it is a really cool city, we hopefully will not be here for much longer. We like to get out of the city to drive around and hike. We often enjoy breathing fresh air, the birds, and the quiet.
As I said, I met Gan at a nature-oriented youth summit when I was 17. The summit at which I met her was for people who wanted to take a year to postpone their army service and do community service. I do still remember the moment when I first saw her, but we went on our own separate paths that both happened to be nature-oriented but in different frameworks. Two years ago, we bumped into each other on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv, and to make a long story short, ever since then we are inseparable. I really tried to impress her and I think it worked. Our first date was a hike in the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, and I took her to a very special overview of this really old monastery on the cliffs and covered her eyes so that she opened them and saw an amazing oasis beneath her.
Alright alright, get to the wedding plans!
In the States, there is a very formal culture with wedding planning… and it is very stressful! Here in Israel, it is much more casual. We have set a date (October 1st) but have not yet decided where the wedding will take place. It is not very organized, but we are really trying, and have been looking for a place to hold the wedding. It is supposed to be a fun process, not a stressful one! Right now, the priority is finding a cool place to get married, and after that we will worry about the food and other aspects.
Anything else you want to share?
A: Israelis usually travel after their service in the army to recount the last two to three years they spent in army service. I have been fortunate enough to have travel and even have lived abroad, and my United States citizenship made it easy for me to live there in three six-month stints. I really enjoyed it, and although I always identified as both American and Israeli, living there made me realize how much I am an Israeli and how much I love living in Israel. I cannot imagine living anywhere else, and plan to raise my children in this culture and society that I love. I would encourage anyone to come and visit and to taste some of what Israel has to offer.
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My Expectations | Leor
I am currently working as a Madricha In Training (MIT) at Camp Young Judaea in Hedersonville, North Carolina. Many of my friends are also going on Machon, and we are anxiously awaiting the trip and cannot wait to be in Israel! I hope you could tell from my previous blog post that Israel is a core part of my upbringing, as well as a shaper of my identity; however, I have not had the opportunity to visit Israel since I was a child.
The last time I set foot in Israel, when I was a child, I remember feeling something in my body. The sensation was not easily describable, but rather a feeling of belonging. Through Machon this summer, I want to recapture that intense feeling, while additionally, as a young adult, gaining a greater understanding of the many nuances of Israel, its people, its strengths, and the myriad of challenges it faces. I believe that traveling to Israel with Machon will afford me the opportunity to learn more about and experience unique perspectives about Israel and Judaism that only Young Judaea, as a peer-led, pluralistic and open-minded youth movement, can provide.
I am particularly excited to experience and immerse into the Israeli culture. I am excited to hear the music, eat the food, and talk to many different Israeli people. In fact, while sitting here writing this blog, I am craving shwarma, Krembo (a chocolate dessert filled with creme and cookie), and an Artic (popsicle). I am also very excited to go sight-seeing and touring. I saw the usual sights – Masada, Dead Sea, Eilat, and Tel Aviv – when I was younger, but I know that this time will be different. Now that I am older, I will have a greater appreciation for and deeper interest in everything that I see. I am especially excited to go back to Masada. I loved hiking up the mountain at a crazy time and watching the sunrise as we arrived at the top of the mountain. I remember that I found it fascinating to think about the people and what they must have been feeling when they lived there hundreds of years ago. I am also excited to go to the shuk (Israeli market) because it is so full of culture, and the clothing, the food, and the people are all so interesting to experience.
I am also really excited to experience Israel with some of my best friends. As I mentioned, I have been going to Young Judaea camp since I was very young, and many of my camp friends are also going on Machon. These friends include friends who I experienced Chalutzim with two summers ago. Chalutzim is an Outward Bound program through CJ, where I spent 10 days in the woods hiking (I know it sounds miserable, but not only did I experience this with all of my best friends, but it was also a life changing experience). I am excited to share this next experience in Israel with all of them, including a 4 day Sea to Sea hike, which I know will be similarly challenging but also an incredible experience. I am excited to have intellectual conversations with my friends and counselors about the current political, social, and economic states of Israel. Throughout our time in Young Judaea, my friends and I have been learning all about Israel, and as a group, it is finally time for us to experience everything we have been learning about first-hand and to utilize all the knowledge we have gained each summer.
Finally, I believe that now is a critical time for me to visit Israel. As tensions continue to rise on college campuses about Israel, I want to become more informed and personally exposed to the many positive issues as well as the challenges in Israel, so I can be an informed and better advocate when I attend college. Upon my return, I want to educate others about and advocate for Israel. Although I follow the news about Israel, nothing can substitute first-hand experiences and interactions. Strengthening my bond with and understanding of Israel and the Israeli people will provide me with a broader perspective that will allow me to make a positive impact for both Israel and the Jewish community through the sharing of my experiences and the deeper knowledge I gained during Machon.
I am hoping that this trip will be informative, exciting, and most of all rewarding. Every summer at Young Judaea has continued to improve, and I am positive that this summer is going to be the best one yet. Additionally, I’m glad that you will be there with me through these blogs to experience this wonderful adventure with me!
Meet the Rodgers
We got to interview Sophie and Jake Rodgers, cousins from Chicago and Bloomington, Illinois. Sophie is in Israel with her brother, David, and Jake is here with his four siblings, Max, Cole, Payton and Jet. There are seven Rodgers on Young Judaea Birthright, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
Woah, you guys are a big family. How did you decide to all go on Birthright together?
Jake: My siblings and I talked about going on a trip abroad together, and our parents had always told us about Birthright. They had encouraged us since we were younger. We had talked about it a year or two ago, and realized that if we waited until Payton and Jet (twins) were 18 we could all go on Birthright together. Once we started planning it, we started talking to our cousins, Sophie and David, about it as well because we thought it would be amazing to do it as a whole family.
Sophie: I remember this past Thanksgiving being so special, because it’s rare that we all get to come together to do holidays. This year it was all of the Rodgers cousins celebrating together. At dinner, Jake started telling me about Birthright and the possibility of us all coming on Birthright, which I was so excited about. I had always wanted to do Birthright but had never imagined the possibility of us doing it as a family.
Was it difficult to find a trip that worked for all of your schedules? You’re seven people with very busy lives, I’m sure. What was that like?
Jake: Well, the twins just graduated high school, and Payton will be taking a gap year. The rest of us are in college at different schools across the country, so it was a little difficult to organize. The special part about Young Judaea was that they were so accommodating to our situation and helped us find a that worked for all of us. I didn’t know anything about the different trip organizers in the beginning, so I was just Googling them and seeing what they were all about. What stood out to me was that Young Judaea had a a Family and Friends specialty trip, and that’s why I chose them. Unfortunately, though, the planning was still difficult and their Family and Friends trips didn’t work with all of our schedules. So Young Judaea made a huge effort to find a good trip for all of us, made it really easy for us and ultimately found us the perfect dates.
Sophie: Yeah, Young Judaea really comprised with us, and we’re so fortunate for that. I’m actually a camp counselor at a summer camp that I’ve been working at for five years, so I had to miss staff training to come on Birthright. When I explained to the camp that I was coming to Israel with my family, though, they were very understanding and much more lenient. They understood that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it was absolutely worth missing the staff training for.
Did you guys have any other concerns before coming on Birthright, besides making it work with your schedules?
Jake: My parents were concerned about safety to a certain extent, but they were more excited and supportive than anything else. I think I was also a little worried about spending so much time with all of my siblings and my cousins, as well. We’re all close, but being together nonstop for these 10 days in a group setting could have been hard. But it hasn’t been at all- it’s been incredible for all of us.
We also all identify differently in terms of Judaism, so we weren’t sure how religious or spiritual this trip would be. My concern was that it might make some of us more uncomfortable than others. But we’ve all really bonded over the fact that it’s been very comfortable expressing our different opinions, and it’s brought us closer in a lot of ways to be able to talk about our different beliefs.
What have been your trip highlights so far?
Jake: Actually, a major trip highlight has been getting to know each other better (my family members) and seeing all of us interact and socialize with others. For example, me and my siblings learned on this trip that Sophie and David’s mother is actually Catholic. We never knew that. So we’ve really had an opportunity to open up and learn things we’d never even thought to ask before.
Sophie: For me, the Bedouin tent experience was one of the the most incredible days of my life. We went to the Dead Sea, rode camels, had an incredible meal, and slept in tents. The most amazing part of that day was star gazing in the desert. When I was laying there by myself looking up at the stars, I actually started laughing. I didn’t know how to react in such a moment. I was honestly in disbelief that here I was, in the middle of the desert in Israel, looking up at a clear sky full of stars. It was like nothing i had ever experienced. This is my first trip out of the country, and for this to be my first trip abroad and to be experiencing it with my family is unreal. In that moment, I just couldn’t believe that this was my life right now.
Jake: I agree that the desert experience was unbelievable. Throughout this whole trip I’ve gathered the sense that Israeli people are very welcoming and warm. Everyone I meet tells me “welcome home, this is your home.” both Arabs and Jews here have been so warm and hospitable towards me, and that’s something that I won’t forget.
Sophie: I completely agree with Jake. Everyone keeps reiterating that Israel is our home. I’m from America and have never been outside of America, and for someone to tell me that Israel is my home too, and that I am just as welcome here as anyone else, is such a beautiful feeling.
Do you see yourselves coming back here?
Sophie: I would love to come back here on an extended visit, and to show Israel to my parents and more loved ones. If I get married, I’d love to bring my spouse here, and show Israel as my home away from home. I’m so proud to now call this beautiful country my second home.
Something special about Young Judaea is that they’ve done an incredible job at not making us feel like tourists but a real part of Israel. I’m really making an effort to try and immerse myself as much as I can, so that I can feel even more a part of this country.
Final thoughts you want to share?
Jake: I really want to thank all of the Israelis that we’ve met. Our tour guide is incredible and has taught us so much. The Israeli soldiers have also made such an impact on us and helped us in exploring our own personal interests in this country. I’ve been so impressed by all of them.
Sophie: I completely agree. Every experience we’ve had here has pushed me to ask so many more questions, and i definitely think that my family has appreciated how educational this trip is.
I’m Leor, Nice to Meet You
Hi! My name is Leor Rosen, and this fall I will be a senior at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland. In approximately three weeks, I will embark on a four week trip to my homeland, Eretz Yisrael. As a Hadassah Leader for Tomorrow Award recipient, I will be blogging about my experiences throughout the trip.
For my first blog post, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. To be honest, talking about myself is not one of my favorite things. Seeing as I have to write about a million college essays in the coming year, however, I might as well get used to it.
I grew up in a Young Judaean family. My mom and dad met at Camp Tel Yehudah as counselors (still crossing my fingers that this will happen to me) and both went on Young Judaea Year Course. My parents instilled a love for Judaism and Israel in me through weekly Shabbats, Jewish Day School and Young Judaea camp, and family trips to Israel. Luckily, many of my parents’ Young Judaea friends live right next to us, so we have a mini Young Judaea community which has been there for me throughout my life and helped me grow up.
I decided to follow the same path that my parents did and have attended Camp Judaea (CJ) in North Carolina since fourth grade and went to Camp Tel Yehudah for the past 2 summers. This summer, I am working at Camp Judaea as a Madricha (counselor) in Training. Going to Young Judaea camp has definitely been one of the best experiences of my entire life. At camp, I have met some of my best friends, learned more about my Jewish Identity, and found a second home. Camp has taught me how important community is and it has shaped my view of being Jewish. Camp has definitely shaped my personality and the person that I am today. A t-shirt I bought when I was in 4th grade definitely describes how CJ and Young Judaea has shaped me. It reads: “Young Judaea making losers cool since 1909.”
My grandmother, mom, sister, and I are all lifelong members of Hadassah (my grandmother made me a life member for my Bat Mitzvah). My parents have always inspired me to be independent and not let any societal constraints dictate my life. One of my largest passions is women’s issues. At Camp Tel Yehudah last summer, I participated in the Hadracha leadership program and was part of the domestic violence social action group. As part of this amazing program, we lobbied Congress about important domestic violence issue. After that experience, I knew that I wanted to do more. This past year, I was an intern at the National Women’s Law Center. At the NWLC, I was exposed to the many nuances of women’s issues. I am also part of my school’s feminist club. I plan to continue to pursue my passion and, after hopefully going on Young Judaea Year Course, hopefully study women’s issues in college.
In addition to my passion for women’s issues, I am a dedicated leader and passionate about my work in BBYO. I am currently the president of my chapter and have held previous positions such as Vice President, President of Membership, and Head of Communications. My work with BBYO has helped me to grow as a leader and a person. I have learned how to better interact with others, design and lead meaningful programming, and much more.
I also love to write. This past year I was a news writer for my school’s newspaper, The Black & White, and I am now serving as the paper’s social media director. I have always loved being able to express myself through writing, so writing these blogs this summer will definitely be a fun thing!
As a young Jewish woman, I believe it is important to be a leader and inspire other young women to stand up for what they believe in. I truly think that women can make a great impact on the world. That is why I am so excited to go on Machon in a few weeks. I am looking forward to reconnecting with my homeland (I haven’t been since I was 10), to learning new things about Israel and myself, and to becoming a better and more informed advocate for Israel and on the issues that are important to me and my community.
Now that you know a little about me, I hope these blogs will become more personal. I want you to feel as if you are going on this trip right with me. I cannot wait to start this journey, and I cannot wait to bring you along!
Shopping, Food & Social Media: Meet our Intern, Alyssa
