I have been horrible at keeping up with the blog this year, yet again! In realizing that I have old posts on a different blog site, I’ll be pulling a few over, keeping the original text and photographs. It’s kind of interesting (and alarming haha) to see how my writing voice has changed, and hopefully(?) improved over the years. As first published in 2014, here goes nothing:
In the summer of 2007, I was fortunate to be granted a spot on a birthright trip to Israel. For those unfamiliar with Birthright, it’s an almost entirely free 10-day trip to Israel for Jews between the ages of 18 and 26, with airfare and accommodations included. Almost half of the expense is covered by philanthropists, a portion actually by the Israeli government, and the remainder by miscellaneous Jewish organizations and other groups. The goal is not only to connect young Jews with their roots, but to encourage us to raise our future children and seceding generations to be pridefully Jewish. The Holocaust wiped out the majority of our tribe, so it’s important to keep the culture going and visiting the land of Judea is a strong way to do so.
I went into the trip with no idea what to expect, my friend Gabe with me. We slowly befriended a good chunk of the 40-something people also in our group and the adventure began. Highlights of this unforgettable trip include:
-Arriving in Jerusalem on no sleep (too excited to sleep on the plane) and being thrown into a 4,000 person welcome party with people from all over the world, with live music, dancing, and beer.
What an incredible feeling to be a part of the “dominant” group, not a minority for once. Jews comprise less than 2% of the US population.
-Learning about life on a kibbutz, agriculture-based collective communities.
-Exploring the city of Haifa and the beautiful Bahai Gardens (pictured below), and drinking absinthe… well that was almost every night!
-Kayaking the Jordan River and exploring a military base
-The Golan heights with its crazy views into Syria
-The art and culture of mystic Zfat
-Hiking to the Ein Gedi waterfalls- super awesome!
One of my favorite hikes- the waterfall was a sweet reward awaiting us
-Swimming, I mean floating, in the Dead Sea! You really float. And try not to cut your leg walking around ancient Roman ruins earlier in the day because that salt BURNS 🙂
Tourists cover themselves in natural mud from the sea which washes off in the water leaving your skin baby-butt smooth
-Riding camels in the Negev desert and camping in a Bedouin tent the same night! Delicious traditional dinner, wild bonfire party under the stars and maybe 2 hours of sleep…
-Only to wake up in time to hike Mt. Masada and watch the sun rise over the Dead Sea. Truly spectacular!
-Exploring the beaches of Eilat, Israel’s southern-most beach resort town. Crystal blue cold water in the Red Sea (the one Moses parted in the bible). Pretty freakin’ cool.
-A booze cruise under the stars and crazy dance party on board.
-Amazing beach/board walk nights in Netanya (near Tel Aviv) on the Mediterranean Sea. And new lifelong friends. Some of us have since been on other trips together!
-Touring Jerusalem, the old city, and praying at the Western Wall.
-A visit to Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Museum. I’d been to the museum in the States, but this was a-whole-nother level of sadness. We must never forget those who perished.
-An incredible last night with the new friends staying in and celebrating the trip at our beautiful hotel.
I still can’t believe we did all that in 10 days. Grateful for the friends I made and still keep in touch with. Memories to last a lifetime! While this trip did not increase my religiosity, it sure instilled a newfound pride in my heritage. I am proud to be Jewish and encourage others to be unapologetic in terms of where they come from, or for being different than the larger groups around them. We are all unique and have a meaningful story to share. I can also say that this being my first international trip as an adult was THE trip that sparked my interest in more travel… and the rest is history!
Edit as of 5/24: I am horrified by the Hamas-orchestrated attacks on Israel as of October 7, 2023 and the anti-Israel global response that followed. I stand by Israel in it’s right to exist, and to defend itself.
I remember when you took the trip! You had so much to tell about Israel and how you were proud of your heritage. And of course that led you to be a world traveler! So proud of how you are able to tell the world how you feel about what’s going on in Israel today. Stay strong with who you are !
I love you
Dad
So glad you dug this up, lady! Clearly your story-telling skills go back a long way. Thanks so much for sharing your blog with me, I’ve truly enjoyed reading about all of your adventures. This one was a special one!