As I unpack my bag, the memories start pouring out and on the floor along with salt and sand from the Dead Sea. Yesterday, I was a world away. Today, I’m back to what is my reality until graduation. This summer’s opportunity to travel across Israel for 10 days changed my life. Okay, everybody says that, but I’ll try to put it into words that will inspire you to study abroad. One of the best parts of the adventure was that it was paid for by Taglit-Birthright Foundation. Taglit is Hebrew for discover. I was the only Atlanta Jew in my group, so y’all know I represented well. My El-Al (Israeli airline) flight departed from JFK airport in New York City and was where I met the other group members for the first time. I thought it was interesting how we all bonded together – instantly. Our Israeli tour guide called our group mishpucha. We were mishpucha, family in English- it was true. We were a group that didn’t splinter into clicks here or there. We were one united front. Before leaving Atlanta, a lot of people asked the typical question, “Aren’t you afraid and concerned for your safety?” My response was no, because the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has a strong presence. They operate with a mandatory draft practice. I felt safe because Israelis are prepared and know what to in case something goes wrong. Ironically, a missile hit really close to where we were staying in our Bedouin tents. We were fine when we saw the IDF shoot a flare in to the sky. We were miles away, but were amazed to see the satellite controller adjust the satellite by the latitude and longitude with the confidence of a skilled surgeon.
There was so much to see in so little time, but we made each moment a memory. We traveled from the airport to the northern most point of Israel, on to the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, and finally headed to the west to chill on the city of Bat Yam’s coast. In Tel Aviv, we met our IDF Soldiers (they were off duty for the next five days to stay with us), where we traveled to Independence Hall, and visited Rabin Square. From there, we traveled to the city of Safed (the center of Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah) and went on to kayaking down the Jordan River. Ha! you thought I was kidding, but we really took advantage of our time.
We then traveled south to the Negev Desert to see an Israeli farm. That night, we stayed in the Bedouin tents and left from there to head to Arad to rest before seeing the sun rise on top of the Masada. We traveled to the southern-most point of Israel, (city of) Ein Bokek; traveled back up north toward the city of Ein Gedi. We floated in (or on, however you want to look at it) The Dead Sea and played in the mud. We were able to learn a lot about our heritage as we visited Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial), Har (Mount) Herzl (Israel’s National Cemetary), entered into the Old City of Jerusalem, City of David, and shopped at the Mahane Yehuda (open air market). We ended our trip at Mini Israel, which was a moving model representation of the entire state of Israel. We had our farewell lunch, our group went their separate ways and we made our departure back to the United States.
A few funny things I would like to note:
1.) I love food, so I couldn’t stop eating. Every time someone turned around, I had a food item.
2.) One of the Jews’ father was one my Dad’s Fraternity brothers. We found that out in Israel!
3.) I danced on our bus for five and a half hours straight. That broke my three hours record for the Orientation trip.
We didn’t have time to buy souvenirs to bring home. There was so much to see in so little time, but we took in so much.
I had two goals before leaving for Israel:
1.) Meet others and make friends
2.) To learn what Israel has to offer to the Jewish people
I’m glad to say mission accomplished! This opportunity has given me memories of a lifetime, knowledge I couldn’t have gained from a book and new friends for life. I would encourage you to study or travel abroad if you are looking to embrace the world around you and have a love of people.
