Meet your #Bus17 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*
Tzach Eldan
How long have you been a tour educator?
Many 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?
I think that when the Israelis are on the trip for the all 10 days, they are integral part of the process of the group. Only then the mifgash (meeting/encountre) between Americans and Israelis, between Israel and America can truly happens in its essence. Also, there is no better way to get to know a place through the local people experiences :)
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I love to make people to stand in circles.
What's your favorite site to go to take participants to and why is it your favorite?
I love to take participants to the desert, mostly to Sde-Boker area. Also, because I used to live there til recently and also because it is maybe the most beautiful place in Israel.
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Someone once told me: "everything is right and wrong at the same time." Also, the same person said: " Rule number one is to tell to yourself that you are amazing!"
What's your favorite Shorashim memory?
Saying goodbye at the airport at the end of the journey to the Israelis and to each other. You can feel that something really meaningful happened, and that people got connected to each other in a very deep way.
What do you love most about Shorashim?
The feeling of family.
What's your favorite place that you have ever travelled to and why?
I can't say what is my favorite one, but few weeks ago I was traveling in India in a place called Spiti Valley in the Himalaya. The mountains, the high desert land, the small Tibetan villages and the amazing local people and culture made the visit there very powerful.
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Come open heart and minded, take this amazing opportunity and choose to fully be in it. It is can be a life changing experience, but it is also depends on you...
Anything else to share?
Peace and love.
Emily Zeller
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
From Olney, MD; Live in Silver Spring, MD.
What do you do for a living?
I am the Young Professional Event Associate at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. I plan and run all holidays and Shabbats, as well as dabble in social programming.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
I went to Israel for the first time in December 2006. I was visiting my sister who was living there on a Habonim Dror gap year program between high school and college--the same program that I ended up doing before college.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
My favorite place to visit in Israel is Akko. This city has a unique vibe, beautiful views, and fantastic hummus.
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I was born on the family room floor of my old house (don't worry, the EMTs were there and everyone was fine).
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
My favorite place that I've ever traveled to is Nicaragua. My alma mater, Gettysburg College, sends multiple trips there every year--Gettysburg's sister city is Leon, Nicaragua. My freshman year of college I traveled to Nicaragua twice, staying with the same host family both times. It was an experience I'll never forget.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
The mashousha from Hummus Said in Akko is the stuff of my dreams.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
I would bring the shuks of Israel back to America with me--the smells of the spices, the small bites of k'nafe, the colorful scarves and clothing.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
There's no better way to visit and learn about a country than with people who grew up there!
Anything else you want to share?
Really looking forward to exploring Israel with you!
Nicole Angel
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I am originally from Cleveland Ohio and I am currently living in Washington DC
What do you do for a living?
I just began working at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington as the Young Leadership Associate and Social Innovation Coordinator. My role will consist of engaging with members of the community who are in their 20’s and 30’s and building relationships with them to help them connect with the JFGW. I want to help young professionals find an outlet within the JFGW through community involvement, leadership development and philanthropy.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
I was fortunate enough to go to Israel for my first time with my Jewish Day School in 8th grade. We went on a two week trip that completely changed my life and made me fall deeply in love with this country that I had been learning about my whole life.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
Trumpeldor beach in Tel Aviv!
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I just got back from living in Israel for the past two years where I received my Masters from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Non Profit Management and Leadership!
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
When I was traveling with my family in Africa, I had the opportunity to visit a school at a Maasai Village in Tanzania. I absolutely fell in love with the children there and their eagerness and passion to learn. They had such a zest for life that truly touched my heart. This incredible experience really opened up my eyes and ignited this passion inside of me that I can make a difference in the world through the work that I do!
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
My favorite Israeli food would be any kind of meat with hummus or tahini. The best place to get this is at Port Said in Tel Aviv and the dish is called the butcher's cut where they roast the meat for 7 hours in this stew and serve it with tahini and bread!
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
The delicious food, beautiful beaches, relaxed people and the contagious spiritual energy!
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
This is going to be the trip of a lifetime that you will cherish forever. Traveling with Shorashim will be such a special and unique way to explore the country as you will get the chance to meet and travel with Israelis for the entire 10 days. Also, by traveling with Shorashim through the DC Federation you will meet friends from your area and come back with a whole new network of friends in your city! You will have the chance to continue and prosper these relationships in DC through the Federation's birthright alumni network.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
“To live and let live”. My mom always taught me to be accepting and welcoming to all of those around me. My parents grew up in apartheid South Africa and left the country to ensure that their children would grow up in an environment where they could instill the values and ideals of treating everyone with love and respect regardless of individual differences.
