From the very beginning, we talked on how there is no difference between any of the graves and on how it symbolizes the 'togetherness' and the unique same role and effect that each soldier has.

We walked to the largest shuk, or open market, in Tel Aviv, Shuk H'Carmel and it was incredible! There were merchants shouting out their prices and boasting the superiority of their products. We were offered "special" prices everywhere we went because we were on Birthright but our Israeli friends and our staff made sure we were getting the best deals possible!

I have been nothing but excited and grateful to be apart of Birthright, this experience so far has great, I have made new friends and have taken tons of pictures on the hike of the amazing rock formations and the beautiful waterfall.

Being with these people, not only the Americans, but the Israelis (especially the Israelis) has really REALLY opened my mind and eyes to what it's like to live in this country as a Jew, as well as what it could be like to live at home as a Jew.

The next stop involved something we can all relate to: Food. This wasn't our standard lunch. Instead we enjoyed delicious Israeli dishes such as falafel and schwarma. For many of us, the was the first time having these classic meals, and there were nothing but smiles when we finished up!

Shalom! Greetings from Shorashim. Today was our first official day of the Birthright Israel Tour and our first stop was a hike in the Golan Heights. The energy on the bus was electric and filled with excitement. When we got off the bus, we were told to find four unfamiliar faces and set an appointment to walk and talk with them at some point durning our hike. Creating unity between the Americans and the Israeli peers is an important aspect of the Birthright Israel trip and allows for thoughts, experiences, and different perspectives to be shared. 

I met Brandon, Ben, and a few others. As more people showed up I learned more names. I introduced myself so many times that I forgot what I said to whom. After putzing around the airport for a few hours we finally got on the plane at 5:30, took off at 6pm.

Check out some of bus 220 pictures so far! 

Then we stopped for lunch and a bunch of us got our first Israeli falafel. The falafel here is 100x better than anything I've had in the states. It was also a good chance to talk to the Israelis on the trip and ask them about their life, favorite things to do, and what they like to eat.

We were greeted at the airport by our Israeli counterparts who were excited to join us on our Birthright trip. Eylen (our "tour guide") didn't waste anytime. He immediately had us stand in a big circle, in the middle of the airport, with our arms around each other screaming "Achim Achim Simcha Simcha" which means "Brothers Brothers Hapinness Happiness".