Shabbat Shalom! Of course I plan on elaborating on this, but this has by far been my favorite trip (and no it is not only because my parents are not on it). Unfortunately (or rather quite fortunately) I have not only had one favorite experience because they have all been so special and unique. I have had the best counselors, Tali and Inbal, and I have made friends that will last a lifetime (and yes, we have already made plans to tour colleges together).

I last updated you before I went to Gadna, my five day immersion at an Israeli army base. Though there were some highlights on this excursion, there were some bumps during the week. I interacted with some of the Machon participants and I met Jews from all over the United Kingdom, Scotland, and Mexico! It was nice to have cultural exchanges and at the base, and I even got to practice my Spanish with some of the Mexican Jews! I also enjoyed knowing that the majority of those who were there all had a common interest and respect for the Israeli Defense Forces. Towards the end of the week, we were able to shoot M-16s, an experience I enjoyed very much; however, realizing that every eighteen year-old in Israel receives this gun resonated with me heavily. Though I felt that I that I was mature enough to handle this gun, I know that not all people my age are. It’s extremely scary knowing that guns are being put into children’s hands.

Unfortunately, I did not find the week to be at all challenging, physically and mentally. I was disappointed in those who did not respect authority. Because of a select few, nobody was able to engage in the activities that were planned. What was just as upsetting, if not more, was the food. I had never carbo-loaded before that week and I hope to never do it again. What was really great was the fact that we had Shoko Besakit (chocolate milk in a bag) everyday. I am sure they have it patented, but I really hope that this comes to the United States. Though I anticipated for a more difficult week, I did make new friends and I find that all in all it was a fulfilling experience. After those five days, I was reunited with my friend, and it seemed like I hadn’t seen them in ages. I missed them all so much.

That afternoon, we visited a local Druze village and were welcomed by a native Druze family. I learned all about their fascinating culture and traditions. Despite being a minority in Israel (and the rest of the world for that matter), they are very much respected by the Israeli community. After learning all about their culture, we got to experience it… through food. And let me tell you, it was delicious. We were bestowed with platters full of different dishes. I tried homemade date juice. It was sweet, cool, and you guessed it, delicious! To end the meal we were treated to cookies filled with figs and a light tea. I dunked my cookies into the tea, and the result was great. I liked the cookies so much that I was given some for the road home.

The next day we traveled to Tzfat, one of Israel’s holiest cities. We learned about the city’s many miracles and how Tzfat is home to Kabbalah. After learning about this ancient city, we were given two hours to eat and explore. Three friends and I shopped around in the artist’s quarter. We then went to a Yemenite eatery. We were served by the owner, Ronen. We treated ourselves to Lachuch, a Yemenite flatbread filled a blend of fresh cheeses, tomatoes, onions, and spices. I tried Yemenite lemonade, which was a nice treat to a very hot day.

After roaming around the city of Tzfat, we went rafting in the Jordan River. It was so much fun! For the first half of the trip it was calm, so we were able to jump out and splash around. As we began to progress, we ran into some local cows. We were definitely more interested in them than they were with us. Though I had some difficulty getting back into the raft, it was easily one of the best experiences I had on this trip. That night was the second Shabbat we had together as a group, and it was really nice seeing everyone in a not-so hectic environment. Tomorrow is Tish’a B’Av, an annual fast day to commemorate the destruction of the First and Second Temple in Jerusalem. Though I will not be fasting, I will keep in mind this holiday as I tour a Druze village and learn about coexistence. I am looking forward to learning about interactions between Muslims and Jews in Israel and how they coexist.

 

There is no other place where you can get the most exquisite brunches complete with omelets, dips, spreads, and breads at a seemingly low cost.  There is no other place where you can find unreal bakeries and cherry tomatoes that taste like candy at every street corner. There is no other place where you will find a multitude of hot clubs that sit right on the amazing beaches.  There is no other place where you can walk from the heart of a city to a breathtaking coastline in less than ten minutes.  There is no place that is quite like Tel Aviv.

I have always been fascinated by how wherever you go in Israel, the views out the window are breathtaking.  From the Golan Heights to the Old City in Jerusalem to camel riding in the Negev Desert, it is amazing how much vastness and beauty is packed into a country the size of New Jersey (shoutout to my homeland!).

Before living here this summer, all I had seen of Tel Aviv was a beach, Independence Hall, the inside of a hotel, and the Port.  I knew I loved and had taken a huge bite out of tasting Israel, but still had so much to explore in this city.  Every Wednesday, I found myself self-discovering a new area of Tel Aviv; and whether it was Sheinkin Street, Neve Tzedek, Sarona and the Azrieli Center, or the Marina, every hump-day took me on a new adventure and allowed my love for the city to grow.  I always grabbed a snack – a piece of rugelach from a bakery that I stumbled upon, an ice cream sandwich from Cookeez (2 freshly baked cookies with ice cream in the middle, amazing), or frozen yogurt from Tamara, Anita, or Leggenda (Israeli froyo is the best).  Remind me of my Wednesday snacks when I get onto the scale in America and am five pounds heavier… Obviously Wednesdays were not the only time I explored the city, but they were when I did what I wanted to do.

Speaking of me, that is why I chose to do Onward in the first place.  My spring semester was off to a rocky start, and despite my mother’s pleas for me to search for a paid internship in NYC, I needed to do something that combined work experience with life experience.  I begged her to let me come to Israel, and reluctantly, she made the deposit for the program and bought my plane ticket. Onward Israel, though you live with a group and travel with them a few times a week, is a program for you.  If you want to spend the weekend in Haifa, go and do it.  If you want to try that restaurant, nobody is stopping you.  At the end of the day, it is your personalized internship and the experience you make of it; and that is why you are here.  You don’t come to make friends; you get lucky if you make a few along the way.  And luckily, I made about three friends, and out of twenty people, that is nothing to turn a blind eye to.  This summer was about self-discovery; discovering what I want to do for a job, discovering Israel and if maybe I want to live here, and discovering what makes me happy.

I just want to take a moment to thank Young Judaea, especially Lena Elkins, for everything this summer. When asking for my placement in, “oh… I don’t know… Like Jewish nonprofit or marketing something maybe,” I never imagined that I would be placed right where the program that brought me here was based.  I also never imagined how much I would love what I was doing, and that I would finally realize what I want to do as a job someday: social media marketing. I never realized that work could consist of writing witty, hilarious lists about the people, places, and things you will see on Birthright, or that work could consist of writing about my experiences (hey!).  I also want to thank Ricky Eytan and Yael Sahar for both the inspiration and for making sure that I was never bored with the amount of projects I had to do.  This internship is going to be hard for any other one or for a job in the future to live up to, and I could not be more thankful.

All good things must come to an end.  It’s time to say l’hitraot to the beautiful beaches, the brunches that make me unbutton my jeans, the place where every store has enough hummus to fill a swimming pool, and the stores on King George with adorable 40 shekel t-shirt dresses.  It’s time to stop making Birthright-themed Buzzfeed-like lists my day job and eating communal lunches with the amazing YJ staff.  Though I am sad to leave, I know that bagels the size of my head and venti iced coffees await on the other side of the Atlantic.

A question that I keep getting is, “so when are you making Aliyah?” and I can whole-heartedly tell you that answer is never… Unless some hunk of an Israeli man walks into my life and changes my mind.  However, I can tell you this: I will be back in Israel, whether that means a week, a month, a year, two years… I just know that at the end of the day, ani Americait (I am American), but I will always have a bayit b’Yisrael (home in Israel).

Shalom, and greetings from the Holy Land! I am currently staying with family friends in Jerusalem and relaxing after a busy first week. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, my group has done so much, so please excuse me if I forget anything! We landed very early in the morning on July 10th, and after we caught up on our much needed rest at Kibbutz Gvulot in Sde Boker, we visited Ben Gurion’s grave. We were treated to pizza and a beautiful view. Then, our group prepared for Shabbat and continued to rest and play games. Because it was Shabbat, we were allowed to sleep in… if you call sleeping till 9 sleeping in. The next morning, we continued Shabbat services and later in the day headed for a dip in the pool. At 8:00, we concluded Shabbat and relaxed. The next day, July 12, we traveled to a playground in Sde Boker. The playground is very close to the Gaza Strip. As a result, there are bomb shelters that double as cartoon caterpillars. Upon hearing this and the normality in my tour guide’s voice, I was in disbelief that children live their lives under these conditions. After the playground, we visited the Salad Trail and learned about Israeli agriculture. We tried all sorts of different fruits, vegetables, and herbs. My tongue turned purple after munching on some purple carrots. At the end of our tour, we had sweet coffee and tea. That night, we were allowed to roam around Eilat. That night was my first time having real Israeli falafel — and let me tell you, it ISreali good. I then treated myself to some ice cream, and called it a night.

The following morning, we went snorkeling, or how the Israelis call it, “shnorkeling,” in the Red Sea. The water was such a perfect temperature and the fish were so colorful. I really did not want to leave. We then went to a Bedouin village and I learned all about their beautiful and welcoming culture. We were treated to a sweet tea and coffee. Though the Bedouin people are very inviting, if they give you a full glass of coffee instead of a glass that is only half-filled, you have stayed longer than you are welcome. After learning about their culture, we went camel riding, and I had a blast! The scenery was like something out of a movie and the ride was similar to that of a horse, just not as fast. After our ride we had a native Bedouin feast, filled with an assortment of vegetables, fruits, breads, and meats. They were so hospitable, they even gave me an entire vegetarian assortment! We then had s’mores and went to bed early because we had a very early rise.

The next morning, we woke up at 3:45 to climb Masada. To say the least, the view was spectacular. At the top we put the selfie stick to good use and learned about Herod the Great and the mass suicide that occurred. Unfortunately, everything that goes up must come down. The trek down Masada was extremely difficult for the group because we were all hot and tired. When we finally reached the bottom, we feasted on bourekas, eggs, and cakes. We then hiked to the Ein Gedi and relaxed in the oasis. Our last destination of the day was the Dead Sea. I had never stepped into such a painful ocean. It was salty, hot, and oily, but of course I floated. After rinsing off, we were accommodated in Ayanot.

The next day we explored Jaffa and shopped in a Flea Market. Don’t worry, Dad — I did not pay full price for anything. We then toured Independence Hall and learned all about Israel’s history and how it got its start. After lunch, we went to Rabin Square and learned about his assassination. After, we went to a beautiful beach on the Mediterranean Sea with beautiful waves, and oh my god Israel is just so beautiful. We then had a night out in Tel Aviv, which was my first time really being in a mall so everything was so new and exciting (#citygirlproblems)!

I had lost my passport, so I had to go to the American Embassy the next day. In reality, losing my passport was the airline’s fault, not mine. My counselor and I treated ourselves to some more falafel. She then took me to this amazing coffee shop called Aroma. Let me tell you, it is way way better than Starbucks, and luckily there is one right by me at home in New York! That day, we bid our goodbyes and I then met my family in Israel! I had not seen them since Kindergarten, so it was a little intimidating. Five minutes later, it was like I had lived with them all these years. This past weekend I have stayed in Pardesiya and the outskirts of Jerusalem. Though I miss my friends dearly, it has been really nice catching up on my beauty sleep. I have made new Israeli friends and can’t wait for them to come visit me in New York. Once I am finished writing this blog, I can look forward to packing for Gadna. Wish me luck!

For this post, I would like to share two very memorable experiences with you.

The first experience that I would like to share happened only a day ago. We traveled to Sderot, a city that is only 10 miles away from the Gaza Strip. Everywhere you looked, you could see a bomb shelter. We also climbed to the top of a small hill in town and were able to see Gaza City. It was an indescribable feeling to look out and think of all the people that are unnecessarily suffering in Gaza. While looking out, a few of our counselors became emotional, as only a year ago they had friends who had been fighting in Gaza.  After witnessing all of that. I still didn’t fully understand the gravity of the situation. Later, when we we were on the bus driving through Sderot, I saw a hundred kids walking out of school by themselves enjoying their daily lives — just like any other normal kids. However, it hit me at that moment that these seemingly normal kids have constant fear that a siren will go off, that their home will be attacked, or someone they love will be killed. Only after seeing these kids did I finally realize how difficult and complex the situation in Gaza is.

The second memorable experience happened over the last week or so. As you know, last week we traveled through the Negev. We hiked through Ein Gedi, and also hiked Masada and Ein Ovdat and visited Ben Gurion’s grave. We went to Eilat to snorkel and experience the city. We floated in the salty water of the Dead Sea, then after a Shabbat filled with services, meaningful discussions, and lots of much needed relaxation, we headed out of the desert and (finally) reached Jerusalem.

For me, arriving in Jerusalem was a symbolic experience. After the Jews spent forty years wandering through the desert, they finally reached Eretz Yisrael. On Machon, after we traveled through the desert for a week (which is much less than 40 years!), we finally arrived in the holiest place for the Jewish people.   When we arrived in Jerusalem, we immediately went to Beit Ar-El, which is Young Judaea’s Year Course headquarters in Jerusalem. The atmosphere at Beit Ar-El solidified my decision to participate in Year Course. Prior to Machon, I was pretty positive I wanted to be a part of Year Course, but the feeling that I got at Beit Ar-El as well as the experiences I have had on Machon convinced me that I need to go.

The next day, we went to Hezekiah’s tunnels. These incredible underground tunnels were built as a water system sometime between the ninth and seventh centuries B.C.E. All 52 of us went into the very dark and cramped tunnel for about an hourlong walk.  There is only one way in and one way out of the tunnels.  At some point, the water in the tunnel was up to our knees. Although this was definitely not the most comfortable experience, but it is something that most of us had never experienced before and it was fascinating to think of how long ago the tunnels were built under Jerusalem and that we were traveling through them in 2015.   After the tunnels, we walked around the Old City and learned about its history. I had visited the Old City prior to this trip and had understood that many different people have lived in Jerusalem throughout history.  Through this tour, especially because I am much older now than I was the first time I visited Jerusalem, I received a deeper understanding of its complexities as well as its beauty.

Finally, towards the end of the day, we arrived at the Kotel. Touching the Kotel was an extremely special moment. Thinking about the millions of other Jews that have touched, and prayed, by the wall made me feel connected to the Jewish people as a whole.  However, despite the spirituality of the experience, as an advocate for women’s rights, the inequality of the distribution of space at the Kotel was particularly unsettling for me. Although we live in a more progressive world, and Israel has made many advances regarding women’s rights, it is upsetting that, in this most holy of places, sexism and the unequal treatment of women is so apparent.  My guy friends on Machon had all of the space in the world to pray and appreciate the moment and me and the many other women at the wall were cramped into a space 1/3 of the size (we later had a heated discussion about this issue).  Learning and experiencing the heart of the Jewish religion was an overall enriching experience.

On a lighter note, and as an update from my initial blog, I am thoroughly enjoying the food in Israel.  I have eaten many Shawarma sandwiches, an Arctic (Israeli Popsicle), and am still searching for a Krembo (but I heard that I may have to wait until Hanukkah for one)!  I hope that my blogs have conveyed that, so far, I have had many incredible experiences on this trip that have helped me grow as a person. I cannot wait to try more foods and continue to experience more of these life-changing experiences as we head to special interest week, during which I will be doing the sea to sea hike.

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.