Meet your #Bus166 Staff!
Get ready for an amazing adventure! #Birthright #Shorashim
*All pictures are either from your staff’s first trip to Israel, in general or as a staff person, or one of their favorite places*
Lilach Arad
How long have you been a tour educator?
Five years.
How long have you been working with Shorashim?
Four years.
Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days?
You get different perspective on any issue and get the "real" Israel expirience.
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I can move my ears.
What's your favorite site to go to take participants to and why is it your favorite?
Mount Bental - amazing view and many things that we can talk about while we are there!
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
To be open-minded.
What's your favorite Shorashim memory?
I can't tell because I don't want to ruin your surprise!
What do you love most about Shorashim?
The family feeling!
What's your favorite city in Israel and why?
Jerusalem- the holy city! where I was born and spent all my life! the most beautiful city in the world!
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
My mother's food! She cooks Persian amazing food!
What's your favorite thing about Israel?
Israelis!
What's your favorite place that you have ever travelled to and why?
Cuba! Fascinating and mind-blowing!
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Don't bring all of your house - everything that you will need you can get in Israel!
Anything else you want to share?
Use the advice and come open-minded to this trip!
Sammi Cutler
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I am from Michigan but now live in Chicago!
What do you do for a living?
I work at JUF planning awesome programs for young adults.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
December 2010 on my Birthright Israel trip through the University of Michigan. I loved Israel so much that I studied abroad in Israel in 2011.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem. I am OBSESSED with Marzipan rugelach!!
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I love doing art projects. I have built gingerbread houses, made friendship bracelets, painted mugs and I love to color in coloring books. It is all so relaxing and fun!
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
Eastern Europe and Germany seeing all of the historic Jewish sites and what life was like for our ancestors. I love Jewish history!
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
My favorite Israel food is Marzipan rugelach which you can find at the Shuk in Jerusalem OR Ice Aroma Light which is the Starbucks of Israel.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
Clearly the food, if you cannot tell, I am a little obsessed.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
You get to experience so much in Israel for 10 days with Israelis the whole trip! Plus, you will be eating tons of Marzipan rugelach and posting great instragram pictures! AND if you go on a Chicago community trip, all of your friends from Birthright will now be with you at home!
Max Groner
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
Grew up in Columbus, Ohio. Now live in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
What do you do for a living?
I work as a consultant for a market research firm called IRI, headquarted in the West Loop. My role involves leveraging big data analytics to target high potential households based on purchase history and demographics in line with brand teams' marketing strategies, such as through direct mail ad campaigns and broader ad hoc customer insights initiatives to better market to key shopper segments.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
I first stepped foot in Israel when I was 13 years old, on a trip with my family. Even at such a young age, I knew I felt something - caused by something more than all the incredible food. I felt a special sense of familiarity and community, like I had a connection with the people and places around me. While at the time I couldn't quite comprehend the significance of this feeling, my return to Israel with Birthright in the summer of 2012 revealed this deep connection.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
Well that's quite the loaded question...I guess I'd have to say Shuk HaCarmel (the Tel Aviv market).
Whar's a fun fact about yourself?
I'm such a fun person, that I'll give you a few:
1) My high school buddies and I won the Ohio state tournament (TWICE), and placed 7th in the nation in our division.
2) I have had 12 teeth pulled, as well as a hole drilled into the roof of my mouth. Plenty was invested into this smile. Please don't tell my Mom that I lost my retainer like three years ago.
3) I am incredible at the N64 version of Super Smash Bros. Now I know everyone claims they're the best, but I actually am the best.
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
Well, besides Israel (obviously), Andros Island in the Bahamas to scuba dive at the Andros Barrier Reef, because it was super beautiful. I’ve never seen so many bright colors and so much fascinating wildlife within a few feet. Or Angkor Wat in Cambodia, because it's one of the greatest human achievements (“Eighth Wonder of the World”). Or Petra, Jordan, because both Indiana Jones AND Transformers 2 were filmed there. Also, of course, it’s absolutely breathtaking seeing a temple carved into stone. Sorry, but I can't really narrow it down. Traveling Rules.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
Not sure if this counts, but froyo. Tamara Yogurt on Ben Yehuda in Tel Aviv still haunts my dreams. Also, the chopped liver from Shuk HaCarmel.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
It shouldn’t be a shock that my answer to this question is also surrounding food. The freshness of the produce in Israel is incredible. You can buy delicious strawberries anywhere, and peaches so ripe and succulent that they’ll spoil if you don’t eat them within a couple days. And you haven’t had dates until you’ve had fresh, juicy dates from the Shuk.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
As for Birthright, my trip helped me understand how being a Jew is so much more than religion alone, but also about belonging to the Jewish community, understanding our history, and contributing to our future. This in turn strengthened my Jewish identity. As for choosing Shorashim, the trip is completely dedicated to providing the best experience possible, regardless of religious or cultural background. And since the Israelis join for the entirety of the trip, you’re able to learn an incredible amount from them as individuals and gain a unique perspective on Israeli politics and life. Additionally, by going with several peers living in the same city, you’ll forge friendships in the Jewish local community that will extend far beyond the airport upon your return.
What /who is your spirit animal and why?
I Googled “what is my spirit animal” and clicked on the first result. I got a bear, along with this description: “In the kingdom of spirit animals, the bear is emblematic of grounding forces and strength. This animal has been worshiped throughout time as a powerful totem, inspiring those who need it the courage to stand up against adversity. As a spirit animal in touch with the earth and the cycles of nature, it is a powerful guide to support physical and emotional healing.” Sure, sounds about right.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
"Don't hesitate to ask questions." Whether in the workplace or daily life, allowing yourself to ask questions enables you to learn and grow, versus letting stubbornness hold you back. Also, whoever told me to start watching the BBC show Sherlock. Best show ever!
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Appreciate the opportunities you have and make the most of them. It’s easy to sit back and let something pass by because you’re tired or anxious about making the effort, but it’s even harder to overcome regret. More specifically to the trip, drink lots of water. Hydration is happiness.
Anything else you want to share?
I still believe LeBron James is underrated.
