γεια σας and hello! My excursion to Athens, Greece has come to a close, and despite the fact that my time there was short, it was wonderful. My peers and I left for Greece on July 5th, and despite the bumpy ride, we could not have been more excited for the trip. Seeing that Athens’ time zone is 7 hours ahead of New York, we arrived in Greece on the sixth. Upon arrival in Athens, we broke the ice between the group and indulged in a delicious Greek breakfast filled with feta cheese, Greek salad, fresh fruit, and veggies. We later met our Greek tour guide, Evdokia, who showed us around Psirri and Monastiraki Square. My friends and I could not help but to admire the graffiti. Living in New York, I am very used to graffiti; but this was different. The artists were so creative and the colors they used were foreign and exotic. We later went to a kosher Greek restaurant, where the host and hostess welcomed us with open arms and lots and lots of food. We wallowed ourselves in hummus, sesame bread, Greek salad, and warm brownies.

After catching up on our much needed rest, Evdokia took the group to the Acropolis Hill where we saw the theater of Dionysus, the temple of Athena Nike, and the majestic Parthenon. In short, we learned about the the birthplace of modern democracy (Athens) and the history and culture of Ancient Greece. After recovering from being in awe by the structures and how long they have stood the test of time, we visited the New Holocaust Monument. It is a beautiful and simple Star of David, separated into six triangles in a secluded garden. On each triangle, Greek cities with a Jewish population (prior to the Holocaust) were listed to honor them. Across the street we visited the Bethshalom Athens Synagogue. We learned about the history of the Greek Jews and the presence they hold now. Despite a few variations in set-up, the synagogue was a nice reminder of home. The rabbi told us many Holocaust stories about the Greek Jews, but what the rabbi showed us made my heart stop. When the Nazis invaded Greece, more specifically Athens, the Jews were rounded up in the synagogue. If you look closely at the outside of the synagogue, there are several bullet holes. We then broke for dinner and later headed to a Greek dance show. After nibbling on authentic Greek donuts and fresh watermelon, the dancers asked me to join them on stage. In which I of course obliged. We danced to ABBA and did a dance that was similar to the Horah. To say the least, I was a pro.

The next day, we woke up bright and early to take a one-day cruise to three Greek Islands. We visited Hydra, Aegina, and Poros. Even though we had time constraints, we were able to shop, eat, and swim. On Hydra, I climbed up a paved cliff with two of my friends, and we were able to look out onto the water. On Aegina, I visited many shops and saw many, many cats. On the last island, Poros, my group and I waded into the cool ocean and nibbled on their infamous Pistachios. I had been to Europe prior to this trip, but I had never been to a European beach. To my surprise, the water was a crystal clear blue and most of the men were wearing Speedos. After leaving the ocean, I sunbathed (not for too long) to dry off. On the boat ride home I played music and my friends taught me how to play Yaniv, the Israeli card game. I really enjoyed the game because it reminded me of Black Jack. To my dismay I was not so good at it. However, I did win in a game of Go Fish and I am determined to improve at Yaniv. On the final day in Athens, we saw the Temple of the Greek god Zeus, Panathinaiko Stadium, and the University of Athens (don’t worry mom, I plan on staying in the states). All of the destinations were jaw-dropping. We took a break from the heat at The National Gardens. The smells and aromas were so sweet. I decided to treat myself to a frappe with Greek chocolate ice cream. It was delicious. After our little excursion we toured the Jewish Museum in Athens. Despite its size, I was impressed by the museum’s exhibitions and artifacts. After learning about the Jewish-Greek resistance during World War II, I was fascinated by their testimonials. What I thought was really cool (for lack of a better word) was how much Greek culture influenced Greek Jews. I saw this most inherently in their respective clothing. After taking all of this in, we headed back to Psirri and Monastiraki Square. We all went shopping and had a blast. I shared a chocolate-banana smoothie with a friend and devoured a fresh mozzarella, tomato, and pesto sandwich. Before leaving we all sat and reminisced on the great times we had and how much we were looking forward to coming to Israel.

They say that everything happens for a reason: there is a reason for every person who walks into your life, every event that happens during it, and why you are where you are when you are.  I feel that between the three times I have been in Israel, the timing was not coincidental. I was here for a three-week leadership training experience in summer 2012, I went on Birthright in January, and I came back for even more this summer.  Each of my times in Israel has been very different, including the places I have stayed and seen and the people I have experienced everything with, yet one thing remained constant: I always tend to find people that I know in the most random of places.  Israel, unlike New York City, is not a forty-minute train ride away from my home in New Jersey; it is a ten-hour PLANE ride, a casual halfway around the world.  Though Israel is the Jewish homeland and is not the largest country in the world, the chances of two people being in the same place within the country are very slim.   How is it that every time I visit Israel, I always tend to run into old friends in the Old City of Jerusalem, the middle of the Negev Desert, in hotel lobbies, and even volunteering at a tomato farm? Two words: Jewish geography.

Everybody knows Jewish Geography as the concept that all Jews know each other and are somehow interconnected.  Yes, that encompasses the “Jewish” part of things.  However, we tend to forget the “geography” part, besides listing off names of people we know from your town.  Geography encompasses where in the world you are from as well as where in the world you are, and where better than in the Jewish homeland for Jewish Geography to come into play?  In the five weeks I have been here, I have seen 18 people I know from home, including an old friend from BBYO on the plane ride (we also met up one night in Tel Aviv), more friends from BBYO, a handful of friends on Birthright trips, and about four people that I went on my first Israel trip with.  That’s right, three years later we all ended up under the same roof in the same country where it all began, all participants in different cohorts of Onward Israel.

In 2012, five participants from New Jersey, California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania went to Israel on the same program, and in 2015, they all found themselves under the same roof at Onward Israel Connections Day.  Three years prior, the same love of Israel had been instilled into five different Jewish teenagers, which made them all want to live and intern in that same place.  Find me a happier coincidence than to run into a handful of people that you experienced Israel with for the first time right back in the same place, nonetheless all together.  It is pretty incredible how Israel ignites, fosters, and rekindles relationships with people in your life, and because of that I look forward to seeing who I find in the streets of Tel Aviv during these next three weeks.

Leor (center front) with her friends on Machon in Israel

As I was looking out at the holiest place for the Jewish people with the sun beating on my back and my best friends surrounding me, I began to cry. In that moment, I felt so blessed to be where I was. Right then, I felt the closest to G-d that I have ever felt. Right then, I realized that this trip, my journey through Israel, is going to be a life-changing experience. Before I say anything further, I would like to take a moment to thank Hadassah for this amazing opportunity and making my participation on Machon possible through the Leaders of Tomorrow Award; I am forever grateful.

Now that we have finally arrived in Israel, I can finally write about all of the good stuff! After a ten hour plane ride to Israel, 52 of us landed cheering and singing Havenu Shalom Alechem. We got off the plane and immediately headed to an overlook over Jerusalem. From there, we began traveling down south towards the Dead Sea. After a long day all we wanted to do was sleep, but our trip organizers had other plans for us.

Before I describe anything else, I want to take you back a few days. Our entire journey started last Thursday at Camp Tel Yehudah. Everyone going on Machon finally came together from the various YJ camps that we were working at, and others joined us from home. We spent two days at Tel Yehudah bonding as a group and experiencing normal camp activities – we went on low ropes, experienced Shabbat and went crazy during rikkud (dancing) with the whole camp – but in the back of our minds, we were all thinking about going to Israel in just a few days.

The next morning, we woke up bright and early — we were so excited to start our trip. We headed to Ein Gedi where we took a long hike through the hot desert. At the end of the hike, we arrived at a beautiful waterfall. Our counselor described how holy Ein Gedi was. It is said that Ein Gedi is where King Saul and King David finally confronted each other and realized that their loyalty was more important than power. After the long and strenuous hike, it felt so refreshing to get into the cold water. The fun did not stop there. We hiked back and went straight into the Dead Sea.

After a great salty swim in the Dead Sea, we headed towards the Bedouin tents where we would spend the rest of the day and night. We got to ride camels, and we also learned all about the Bedouin culture. It was very interesting to learn about this unique culture within Israel, which I knew very little about before. We then had the best meal that we’ve had so far – we sat down on the floor like the traditional Bedouin and were presented with a platter filled with rice, potatoes and all kinds of meats, which we ate with our hands. It was absolutely delicious. Later that night, the entire group went out into the middle of the desert and stargazed. The sky was so clear and was lit up by thousands of stars, which you could see because there was no artificial light.

The next morning, Wednesday, we woke up at 3:45 AM. I know it sounds crazy, but we were going to Masada, and nobody minded because we were hiking up the mountain to see a beautiful sunrise. We were all so excited and when we got to the top we saw the most incredible sunrise. I did this same hike when I was 12 years old, and was very excited to do it again. I thought the first time was amazing, but this time it was even more incredible and meaningful. While on top of Masada, we learned all about the history of Masada and the people that lived there. We had an intense discussion about whether the decision to commit suicide was a courageous or a selfish act. Although we didn’t all agree, it was a very interesting discussion. After Masada, we went to Kibbutz Keturah, which was founded by a group of Young Judaens in 1973 and is a unique kibbutz which holds many of the same values as young Judaea. In 1990, my mom spent the summer at Ketura studying and working. It is so empowering how so many different people can come together to acheive a common goal.

For our night activity last night, we went to the sand dunes in the Negev. We played around and rolled in the warm and very soft sand. We then had the opportunity to sit by ourselves and reflect on life. It was such a meaningful experience to just look out into the desert where the Jews wandered for 40 years. We then broke into small groups and talked about what we each thought about during our individual time. Everyone shared their different feelings and we all felt more bonded together. Then, my small group spontaneously started singing the Shema together. It was one of the most beautiful and spiritual experiences of my life.

So far, this trip has been absolutely amazing. I have already learned so much about Israel’s history and culture that I didn’t know before and I am so excited to learn more. Israel is an amazing country, but experiencing it with my best friends, at this stage of my life, and on a program like Machon, is even more incredible. I cannot wait to see what the rest of this trip has in store for me and the people with me on Machon.

• 
• “Ani rotzah cafe kar eem kerach, bevakasha” – I want a cold coffee with ice, please!
  Anyone who has been to Israel knows that “ice cafe” refers to the slushy, Starbucks Frappucino-like drink that is more like a dessert than a morning caffeine fix.  Contrary to popular belief, “Americanized iced coffee” is available at Aroma and a multitude of other places — you just need to ask for cold coffee with ice!
• “Eifo l’shirutim?” – Where’s the bathroom?
  This one is very important to know.  Though I’ve mastered the art of asking for the location of the bathroom in Hebrew, I can never understand people’s answers. Maybe it is time to learn the Hebrew words for “left” and “right”…
• “Ani lomedet Ivrit b’universitah, aval ani lo medaberet Ivrit tov” – I study Hebrew at university, but I don’t speak Hebrew well.
  I struggle to hold a basic Hebrew conversation.  I can, however, tell you that my Hebrew is sucky in perfect Hebrew.  You win some, you lose some, nachon (true)?
  
• “Cacha chacha” – So-so
  This is my answer when people ask me how my Hebrew is.  Slicha (sorry), its not tov meod (very good)
  
• “Atah medaber Anglit?” – Do you speak English?
  Hey, at least I asked you in Hebrew.  That’s a start, isn’t it?
  
• “Yesh li tabaot im hamsot?” – Do you have rings with Hamsas?
  I am on the hunt for the perfect hamsa ring, so I took my search to the next level by learning how to say it in Hebrew.
  
• “AVOTIACH! ANAVIM! TOOTIM! TAPOOZIM! ESHCOLIOT!” – Watermelon! Grapes! Strawberries! Oranges! Grapefruits!
  If I learned nothing else in Hebrew class, I learned how to say my fruits.  I exercise my knowledge every time I go to a grocery store or shuk (market) by pointing and screaming.  It will never get old, I promise.
  
• “Lo” – No
  If you were ever told that the word “no” is universal, you were lied to.  Here in Israel, when you are opposed to something, you say “lo.”  I have started to use this one instinctively; does that mean I am turning into an Israeli?
  
• “Ani ohevet otach, Yisrael!” – I love you, Israel!
  Oh Israel, I love you and your beautiful sights, the fact that I can buy as much wine as my little heart desires with my real ID (which you don’t even ask for 98% of the time) while inside your borders, your hot soldiers, and basically everything else about you.
  
• “Sababa, habibi” – Cool, bro
  Sababa is the Hebrew word for “cool,” and obviously its a hundred times as cool as the word cool is.  Habibi refers to a friend, but I always see it as “bro” or “babe.”  Was that translation sababa, habibi?

Alyssa (right) with a friend in Tel Aviv

When I woke up this morning, I realized that I had left the United States three weeks ago today. Sometimes, three weeks feels like a year, but I feel as if I left New Jersey yesterday. I am already almost halfway done with this program, I have done so many great things with so many great people, and I still feel like my time in Israel is flying by. It is crazy to me that it has already been a week since I wrote my last blog post, but looking back on it, so much has happened, including exploring Tel Aviv on my own, traveling to two cities I had never seen, and of course, some delicious meals in between.

The week started like any other: I went to work on Sunday and Monday, and then went home to my apartment for the night. Speaking of work, that is going very well and I love YJ and the people who work here more and more everyday. The work is very interesting, ranging from writing these weekly blogs (hey!) to helping with the management of the Twitter and Facebook pages to interviewing participants on various YJ programs. I always feel interested and engaged, and I could not have asked for much more.

On Tuesday, our weekly group trip was to Hebron in the West Bank. As if the fact that we traveled to our destination in a bulletproof bus was not apprehension-building enough, there are more soldiers in Hebron than there are civilians. After being assured and reassured that Hebron is a safe city, I still was not buying it. It was one of those situations that you had to see to believe, and it ended up being a really cool place; I did not feel unsafe for a single second there and I am glad that I got to see it. We started the day with a tour of the Cave of the Patriarchs, then went on to listen to a speaker about the Arab-Israeli conflict who gave us more insight on the situations in both Gaza and the West Bank.

On Wednesday, I realized that I had not been to Tel Aviv since Shabbat, so I decided to take a little adventure after work. I got off on Allenby Street near Shuk HaCarmel, which is a very central location of Tel Aviv (if you ask me, at least… Someone else may shake their head at this). To me, an adventure is defined by ditching Google Maps and exploring without the iPhone glued to your face (to those who know me: please stop gasping and take a deep breath after that statement). I saw the street sign for Sheinkin Street, which I had been meaning to check out. Some people had described it as the “SoHo of Tel Aviv,” which is a bit of a strech, but it was still very up my alley. I stopped by at a candy pharmacy, which had syringes and pill bottles full of chocolate and various types of candy. No purchases were made, but an Instagram was taken. I do not think the lady who was working was very happy with me, but YOLO am I right??? I continued to walk, and somehow ended up at Dizengoff Center, which is a huge mall. Shockingly enough, I went in and shopped around. Though it was 17:00 (this is my attempt to immerse into Israeli culture, in addition to trying to use WhatsApp instead of iMessage) and my group had a Shakshuka Night planned at 19:00, I remembered that a dessert place on my Tel Aviv restaurant bucket list called Cookeez was on Dizengoff as well. Cookeez is Israel’s version of Insomnia Cookies, and if you ask me, it puts Insomnia to shame. A delicious chipwich was eaten and no regrets were had. Then I came back to Bat Yam and had delicious homemade shakshuka, a classic Israeli dish made of tomato sauce and sunny side up eggs, with the Northern New Jersey delegation two hours later, because life is short and dessert before dinner is beseder, tov, sababa, yoffi, and nachon, which all happen to be Hebrew synonyms for “ok” and “good.” I have not decided which to adopt yet, since sababa sounds coolest, but tov is one syllable. Decisions, decisions.

Thursday night was a celebration called Laila Levan, or White Night. Laila Levan is an all night festival that takes place all over Tel Aviv, and people of all ages are roaming the streets and having a fantastic time all through the night. Though my roommates Alyssa and Sara and I only lasted until about 4:30, we were joined by Alyssa’s friend from home on another program, her older brother who made Aliyah, his boyfriend, and his friend, and our little group had an amazing night full of laughs, dancing in the streets, going to the roof of Kikar Rabin (city hall), and you guessed it…EATING! The highlight of the night was the rooftop of Kikar Rabin: the views were amazing, and it was not open to the public so I felt really cool being able to get in. The night ended with a 3:30 AM trip to Benedict, a restaurant that specializes in… Are you ready for this… Eggs benedict. It had been on my bucket list, and though I expected to try it at 10:00 AM, there is never a wrong time for brunch. Plus, it is cheaper after midnight, and was delicious!

On Friday, Alyssa invited me to stay with her family in Netanya, a beautiful city a little bit north of Tel Aviv, for Shabbat. We stayed in a beautiful penthouse right on the beach and her family could not have been more nice and accommodating. It was an incredibly relaxing 36 hours, as we stayed until Sunday morning, full of rainhead showers, being beach and Jacuzzi bums, and the most comfortable bed in the world. We had a great time together, and I am so thankful for all of the great hospitality her family provided! That’s all I really have for today, but I am lehitragesh, or excited, to tell you about this upcoming week!

Hey, Jessie! Tell me a bit about yourself.
J: My name is Jessie Ziff and I’m 19 years old from Westchester, NY. I am going to be a junior at Penn State University, where I’m studying Human Development and Family Studies.

Greek life is a huge part of college life at Penn State so I joined a sorority– AOII. Of course, it is one of the few Jewish ones. Being in a Jewish sorority was important to me because I was raised in a kosher home and celebrating Shabbat each week. I have a 17 year old sister who will be attending Lehigh University after embarking on her journey to Israel for the year. I also have a 10 year old brother who will be going to Solomon Schechter next year after always being in the public school system.

Tell me, what brought you to Amirim? What has your Amirim experience entailed?
J: After deciding that I needed to be in Israel for the summer, I started researching different programs that would allow me to come here and intern for two months. I found Amirim and it seemed like a great fit. I am interning at The Peres Center for Peace, which is a non-profit organization founded by Israel’s 9th President, Shimon Peres. The mission of the center is to integrate Arabs and Jews to find a way to make peace.

Not for a split second was I nervous to come to Israel. I have never once felt unsafe here. I will say that transitions are really hard for me so after being on a structured trip for 10 days and coming directly here, I was panicked. The first two weeks were very exhausting and draining. I did not know how to get around or how to communicate. I was very homesick. Now that it has been some time, I am finding my way around and enjoying every second to the max.

The thing that I enjoy most about Amirim is the level of independence. Never in my life did I think that I would be able to get dropped off at an apartment in an area I don’t know at all and be able to figure it out. Yes, it took time, but now I am comfortable. I am excited that I was given this opportunity to grow on my own and I am eternally thankful for it.

What is a good reason that you would give your peers to come to Israel? Have you been here before?
J: I cannot give only one reason to come to Israel. The better question would be why would you NOT come to Israel? It is amazing. Absolutely amazing. Tel Aviv, the beaches, the museums, the land, the history, the people, The Kotel, Yad Vashem, the clubs, the food… should I continue? Israel is a secure place for me. I feel at home the second I land.

I have been to Israel four times prior to this trip. I came three times with my family, and once with a group of friends through my JCC on a penal exchange program. I stayed at Israeli’s houses, and they then came to NY and stayed with me. When I came in the past, I experienced nothing like I am experiencing now. I was on a strict program, either touring or with my parents in which I was not given freedom. I also have never been here for this long. I did birthright right before this, and again, why not go on birthright? Birthright was hands down best 10 days of my life.

Hey, Geoff! How old are you? Where did you go to college?
I’m  Geoffrey Sperling. I am 25 years old, originally from Crown Point, Indiana and I now reside in Austin, Texas. I attended Indiana University and graduated with a degree in Gender Studies with a minor in Sociology and Human Sexuality. I have a boyfriend of three years and two incredibly beautiful chihuahuas. I am a paraprofessional teacher for the New Braunfels ISD in New Braunfels, Texas and a part-time barista at a hipster café in Austin called Pacha.

Awesome. How did you hear about Amirim and decide to come to Israel? Where are you interning? What’s your favorite part?
I went on Birthright in December. It was a deeply moving experience and inspired me to return to Israel. One of my staff members from the trip, Sammi Cutler, works for the Jewish United Fund in Chicago and gave me a lot of information regarding programs that would allow me to intern in Israel. Young Judaea seemed to be the most inclusive of the programs offered, and would allow me to intern in the field of LGBT rights.

My internship placement is with The Gay Center in Tel Aviv-Yafo. I work in the culture department, and do a lot of translating for their social media platforms such as Facebook, their website, Wikipedia, etc. In addition, I speak to outside groups about the center and all of the services and programs they offer. For instance, last week I gave a speech to the Boston Gay Men’s Choir about the center prior to their performance in our courtyard that night.

The benefits of this program far outweigh the bad, and have given me a much richer (deeper) understanding of what it is to live and work in Israel. I have been to shops and clubs, to the north and to the south, to synagogues and the beach. It has truly been a blessing to be here, and I take a second every day to step back and appreciate this experience. I realize just how fortunate I am to have been given this opportunity and I try my hardest to give back and make a difference in the LGBT community here in Israel.

Why do you think it’s important to come to Israel? What have you learned about yourself?
Well, I came to Israel to find out how Judaism is connected to my life, now as an adult. I identify as being more culturally Jewish than religiously, and I felt it was only right to actually explore the culture of the Jewish people here in Israel. What I came to find was so much more than I could have ever dreamt. My own opinion of Israel was based on mostly western propaganda and biased media, but coming to Israel has completely changed my perception of the people and the country to one of overwhelming pride.

I feel more connected with my heritage than ever before in my life. I encourage anyone even curious about Israel to experience it. Being here will change you, and your perception of Israel indefinitely. There is no way, in my opinion, that you can come to Israel and leave the same person you were before coming. I believe that if you had told me this a year ago I would have laughed in disbelief, but it is the truth. There is something truly special and existential about this experience.

Hey Noga! Where are you from?

N: My name is Noga Amiri, I am 18 years old, and I’m from Holland. I’ve lived in New Jersey, Israel (my parents are Israeli, so I have an Israeli passport and speak Hebrew), and Holland. I am going into my first year of college.

How did you find yourself on Amirim? What is your internship placement?

N: I was unsure if I qualified for Birthright or not because I hold an Israeli passport, so I started looking into other options. My cousin did Amirim last year and had a great time, so she highly recommended it. I asked for an internship related to arts and culture, and this is the first year that there was a placement at the Israeli Museum.

I’m currently working on making a digital collection for the museum, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I am consolidating past exhibitions, writing translations in Hebrew and English, and putting a nice catalog together that is available to the public. I plan on studying art history in college, but I am not fully sure yet, so this is a really good opportunity for me.

Are you enjoying Amirim?

N: I am having a really good time on Amirim, because it is so different to be here with a group and have a sense of independence here. It’s really different from being here with my family. I am seeing so many things on the day trips, in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and everywhere else that I never would have seen otherwise. Nobody in my group came in knowing each other, so it made bonding with each other easier. I am closer with some participants than others, but for the most part it is a really great group!

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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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!