"There’s so much to write about that it’s almost impossible to know where to start, or how to say it all."
We officially rang in our Birthright journey on the beaches of Tel Aviv by singing Shehecheyanu. It was a special moment because this was the beginning of new adventures and new friendships. After we checked into the hotel, we rested and then got ready for our first Shabbat. Our first Shabbat was on the roof of our hotel and it overlooked the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea. It was pretty special and breathtaking bringing in Shabbat with a view like that.
Hello Friends and Family!
This blog is to keep you updated with what the group has been doing around the beautiful country of Israel and will entail details such as sights, sounds and all of the other great events. We have been having so much fun right off the bat that we are a few days behind on the blog, so our social media committee is going to fill you in on what we've been doing up to this point.
Talking to the Bedouin woman who is an activist for women's rights was our favorite part of today because she was working to positively change her community.
We began our day Sunday at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, one of the most prominent Holocaust museums in the world.
There, our guide led us on the tour that looked at the Holocaust through the victims' perspectives. It was incredibly powerful.
Afterwards, we made our way over to Tel Aviv, which felt totally different than Jerusalem.
First, we went to Independence Hall, where we learned about Israel's founding.
Next, we explored Yitzhak Rabin Square, asking locals what they remember about the former Prime Minister's assassination and his impact on their lives.
Tel Aviv seemed to be a mix of a seaside city, a European city, and something more practical. Even though all of the groups were separate, there was an overarching sense of unity between the different birthright groups, which made all of us feel at home.
Today, we went to the house of one of our Israeli Participants, Tess. Her family was very hospitable, and we got to eat snacks and swim in her pool! It was really a very cool experience.
As young 20 somethings, going out with locals and seeing the night life helped us to envision everyday life for young adults in Israel.
The 1-mile walk from Rabin Square to the Sarona Market gave us a good feel of the exciting and bustling city of Tel Aviv.
But, what kind of inspiration should I draw from such an important place as the Western Wall? For me, I was inspired because it is our most powerful connection to the biblical past of Judaism and the original Jewish state. It is a place where everyone can find their own meaning and purpose.