Meet your #Bus219 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*
Itay Rotem
How long have you been a tour educator?
Four years.
Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days?
The "mifgash" is the highlight of the trip in my view, the best window that an american can have of the Israeli society is through the Israelis and the best view that the Israelis can have of the American, Jewish society is through the American participants.
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I love dancing around the house before going to bed.
What's your favorite site to go to take participants to and why is it your favorite?
There is no one favourite place, its like asking a mother which child she likes best :) each site is different, unique and special in its own special way.there is no one favourite place, its like asking a mother which child she likes best :) Each site is different, unique and special in its own special way.
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
No expectations. No worries. No doubts. Only present moment. :)
What's your favorite Shorashim memory?
Dancing together in the airport in the end of an amazing 10 day experience!
What do you love most about Shorashim?
That everybody who are involved in the program really cares about making the best out of it for each and every participant until the last and smallest details.
What's your favorite city in Israel and why?
Jerusalem, that's where i live to start with :) but other then that, there is an amazing cultural depth to it that never ever keeps you bored.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
Falafel, and the best one i know of today is in the Iraqi market in Jerusalem.
What's your favorite thing about Israel?
That its my home :)
What's your favorite place that you have ever travelled to and why?
India, the culture is fascinating, there is a lot of depth to discover and its all very different from what we are used to in the west.
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Be open to the experience and don't hold back. Be yourself :)
Anything else you want to share?
I"m looking forward to meet you on the trip :)
Dan Glassman
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
Ventura, Ca and Ventura, Ca.
What do you do for a living?
Owner of the Glass Man Professional Window Washing Company, Inc.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
Summer 2005.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I spend all my free time traditional rock climbing, or dreaming of it, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and lesser California ranges.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
The homes of my friends and their families.
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
Israel is my favorite place I have ever traveled to internationally; the food, the beautiful ladies, the history, it's home.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
Hummus hummus hummus. Now, where to get the best is the topic much debate... and I have many favorite spots... particularly one right off of Bograshov in Tel Aviv.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
The food and the Sephardic women.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
This is the opportunity to kickstart a lifetime of traveling and a lifelong love affair with Israel (I promise).
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
He not busy being born is busy dying.
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Sleep. Or don't... but be sure, be sure this is your first trip to Israel, not your last.
Anything else you want to share?
Israel is a country filled with our brothers and sisters. There is much to learn... step out of the box, meet new people and seek information and truth without preconceptions. Go home and Tell Your Friends and Family just how the Israeli people are really doing. Share your experience!
Marnie Beals
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I'm from Michigan and still live here now!
What do you do for a living?
I have a degree in business and am now changing directions and applying to nursing school.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
I first went to Israel in 2006 on a March of the Living trip, which is a two week trip to Poland and then Israel.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I have two older siblings who I'm really close with and despite my sister being six years older than me, we are always mistaken for twins!
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
All of Israel is special to me for different reasons, but my favorite place to visit in Israel is Jerusalem. Jerusalem is so different from any other place in the world, and I can't help but feel connected to my Jewish identity when I'm there.
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
Aside from Israel, I loved traveling to New Zealand. I especially loved the breathtaking views there that you could see from on top of the volcanic cones, which Auckland is known for.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
I love good hummus, especially from a little restaurant in Jerusalem called Hummus Ben Sira. They have a delicious version with mushrooms that is my favorite!
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
While America is physically my home, if I could bring one aspect of Israel back to America with me it would be that feeling of home. When I go to Israel, even though it's thousands of miles away from my house, I feel a great sense belonging and connection to my roots which contribute to a feeling of home for me.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
I love the fact that Shorashim has Israelis joining the group for all 10 days. Having Israelis side by side Americans as they explore Israel adds such a special aspect to the experience!
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always make time for laughter! :-)
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Be open to new experiences! We'll be experiencing all sorts of amazing things as we explore Israel together and you will get the most out of these packed 10 days if you are open to new experiences and friendships.
Anything else you want to share?
