Meet your #Bus220 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*

Ori Adelstein

How long have you been a tour educator/working with Shorashim?

Five years.

Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days?

It's important to see Israel, to hike, to learn about the history an different sights, but there's nothing more important that meeting other people. We are meeting people all the time - the venders at the shops, people from the hotel and other places, but in order to create real and deep relationships, you need time. This trip is very meaningful and involves alot of different experiences. It's going to be funny and sad and emotional.. and more. Experiencing this together worth more than anything else on this trip! 

What's a fun fact about yourself?

I can move my ears and - when I drive especially if I'm tired.. I am singing with the radio so loud as if I was performing in front of 100,000 people.

What's your favorite site to go to take participants to and why is it your favorite?

I love the desert experience, but it's hard for me to pick one favorite place.

What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

Be yourself!

What's your favorite Shorashim memory?

I love the singing on the bus. When I was a participant, and also when I am a tour educator.

What do you love most about Shorashim?

I love that we are like a family. I love that it's a familiar place for me because of all the years. I love the educational and pluralistic approach and, of course, the people!

What's your favorite city in Israel and why?

There is only one city in Israel... Tel Aviv. It's my home town. I grew up there. Also, it's the place where you can do everything, be anything, with everybody. Everyone can find something to relate to in this place. so varid, colorful, happy, and, of course, there's the beach!

What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?

My mom's food.

What's your favorite thing about Israel?

The atmosphere, the people, the fact that it's so small, and it has everything! In an hour, you can drive from the center and you can see the sea snow green mountains lakes springs and the desert. I also like the humor and the informal way we're dealing with things (sometimes).

What's your favorite place that you have ever travelled to and why?

Its so hard for me to pick a favorite...but if I have to... I LOVE India! The people, the atmosphere, the fact that it's so loud and busy and dirty and such a mess, and within all this, you can find peace and quite - that's really powerful. also there's magic in the air there.

What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?

Come open - to the sights, the people, the ideas. Use your five senses when you're here. Take it in! Let it confuse youand after, keep in touch with the friends you made, with people you meet, and with Israel!

Anything else you want to share?

I'm excited! Can't wait to see you soon <3

Rabbi Elyse Winick

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

Born and raised in New York; a Boston resident for more than 20 years.

What do you do for a living?

I am the Jewish Chaplain at Brandeis University.

When did you go to Israel for the first time?

In 1983, with a college group under the auspices of the American Zionist Youth Foundation (see picture)

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I once served as a hand model for a Staples ad.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?

I am a big fan of the Kinneret Cemetery, a beautiful burial ground on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, final resting place for many of the nation's founders.

What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?

Israel! It is the most natural and organic place to experience Jewish life.

What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?

Shakshuka, a baked dish of eggs, tomatoes and spices. Best Shakshuka? Dr. Shakshuka in Jaffa.

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?

The mifgash lasts for the entire trip!

What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?

Prepare to be thoughtful about your relationship to Judaism, the Jewish People and Israel.

Anything else you want to share?

Can't wait for our journey together!

Erin Ross

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

I'm originally from Chicago and I am currently living in Chicago.

What do you do for a living?

I am a special education teacher at Washington Elementary School. I teach fifth and sixth grade students with autism. 

When did you go to Israel for the first time?

I went to Israel for the first time in eighth grade through Ta'am Israel.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I have been playing tennis since I was six years old!

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?

My favorite place to visit in Israel is the Kotel.

What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?

My favorite place that I have travelled to is Arizona because I enjoy visiting family and friends. When I visit, we do a lot of hiking and sight seeing!

What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?

I LOVE falafel! I do not have a favorite place to get falafel, but I do enjoy tasting falafel from different restaurants! I am very excited to go to Aroma because I enjoy their iced coffee and chocolate!

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?

I wish I could bring back and share the Israeli culture. 

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?

I recommend Birthright Israel with Shorashim because the Israeli soldiers spend the entire 10 days with us. Their perspectives and experiences add a personal touch to all of the sights we see. 

What /who is your spirit animal and why?

My spirit animal is a dog because I am very friendly and caring. I also love meeting new people and being in the company of others.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

The best piece of advice I have ever been given was to always hold my head up high and to never lose sight of my goals. 

What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?

These 10 days will be the most memorable days of your lives. You will build everlasting friendships and experience Israel in a new light.

Anything else you want to share?

Sarah Diamond

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

I am originally from Sharon, MA and currently live in NYC.

What do you do for a living?

I am a graduate student studying speech pathology.

When did you go to Israel for the first time?

On my first trip to Israel I was 10 months old. I have since visited a number of times.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I sang a duet with Clare Bowen (from the TV show, Nashville) backstage after her concert with Charles Esten.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?

My favorite part of Israel is the Old City of Jerusalem. When I am there, I feel a spiritual connection to the generations of Jews who lived there before me. I love walking around the City of David and seeing archeological finds from King David's time, and going to the Kotel to pray.

What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?

Other than Israel, Acadia National Park in Maine. I went there with a few friends after college graduation and it was an incredible trip. The park is absolutely beautiful and has great hiking and biking trails with gorgeous views. I loved it so much that I went back with my family a couple years later.

What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?

A restaurant in Jerusalem called Tzidkiyahu's, which serves amazing Israeli salads (salatim), falafel and schwarma with delicious warm laffas.

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?

The volunteerism. Israelis do a few years of army or national service post-high school, and I always admire how the young people in Israel take pride in giving back to their country.

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?

Because the best way to learn about the Land of Israel is to be there!

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

There is something to learn from everyone.

What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?

Try something new!

Anything else you want to share?

I can't wait to meet everyone!!

Manny Korn

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

Philadelphia.

What do you do for a living?

I work for a company that sells power equipment. 

When did you go to Israel for the first time?

As a child, probably around 1993.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I failed my drivers test 5 times, and i like puzzles. 

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?

Maybe the Jaffa Shook, I love the whole land!

What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?

Shannondoah Virginia. I get excited going to the mountains there, there is a valley where the Shannondoah river bends nine times within two miles.

What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?

I love Arabic food, particularly Iraqi food, and I enjoy going to my aunt's home and eating it there on Shabbat. 

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?

The sense of living in the moment that is prevalent in Israeli society. 

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?

Shorashim delivers an authentic Israeli experience to Americans in 10 days, hardly an easy task. 

What /who is your spirit animal and why?

Moose, or a Buck. I like their antlers. 

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

Don't let expectations hold you back. 

What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?

Bring a neck pillow and an open mind. 

Jared Pashko

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

Philadelphia.

What do you do for a living?

I work for an organization called the Friendship Circle which provides social structures for individuals with special needs, families, and the greater Jewish community.

When did you go to Israel for the first time?

2004

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I enjoy woodworking.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?

Kinneret. 

What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?

Thailand. An amazing culture and nice people.

What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?

Shawarma.

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?

The food.

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?

It's great to spend time with Israelis the whole trip. 

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

No plan is the best plan.

What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?

Take advantage of every moment and just take it in. 

Anything else you want to share?

Avital Katz

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

I am from Riverdale, Bronx, NY and right now I am living in Binghamton, NY.

What do you do for a living?

I am a senior at Binghamton University studying Human Development, Judaic Studies, and Education. In the future, I hope to be in the early childhood education field as a teacher or an occupational therapist. 

When did you go to Israel for the first time?

I first travelled to Israel to attend a family wedding when I was six months old! For several years after that, my trips to Israel were built around weddings and bar mitzvahs of friends and family. What I remember most about these trips is spending time with family, hiking, and walking around cities like Jerusalem and Haifa. Later I spent a summer in Israel on a teen tour, a semester with my family when my father was on sabbatical, and a gap year in Israel. 

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I love to dance. Last year I was in Bollywood and African dance performances. These are new types of dance for me and both were fun and exciting.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?

My favorite place to visit in Israel is Gan Sacher in Jerusalem. Being a large public park in Jerusalem, there are always so many people there. Barbeques, sports games, birthday parties, youth movements, and family gatherings can always be found there. Gan Sacher is a place where I feel like a part of Israeli culture and have an amazing time with friends and family.   

What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?

I love Florence, Italy. There was a beautiful building or statue at every corner. It felt like there was always something new to discover. 

What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?

My favorite Israeli food is definitely Ice Café. Although it is only a drink, Israel does it the best. My favorite place to get an Ice Café is Aroma Café. Aroma Iced Coffee is the perfect drink for hot days in Israel. 

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?

If I could bring one aspect of Israel with me to America it would be how everyone looks out for each other. Many Israelis go out of their way to invite you to their homes for meals or for longer periods of time if you have no other place to go. There is a sense that everyone is family when they are in Israel, which I think is a wonderful aspect of the country.  

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?

I recommend Birthright Shorashim to my friends and family because it is a trip that allows individuals to find their own connections to land and to the other participants and staff. Shorashim trips have a reputation of being well run. I especially appreciate that Shorashim has a trip for young adults with special needs to ensure that everyone can spend significant time in Israel. 

What /who is your spirit animal and why?

My spiritual animal is a lion. Female lions are fierce and nurturing. 

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

The best piece of advice I have been given is that you need to take chances in order to reach your goals. One of my professors gave us this advice while speaking about our future careers and the opportunities that we should take advantage of in order to find out our passions. 

What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?

Take in every moment. There are so many different aspects of Israel. Find the one that means something to you. Find your special place or moment during the trip and remember it forever.

Anything else you want to share?

I am very excited to be staffing Birthright Israel: Shorashim this December and I cannot wait to meet all of the trip participants!