The Start of Everlasting Memories

As we got of the plane in Israel and filed into customs, the tired, shy, and excited participants on this journey together began to get to know each other. 

"Shalom, where are you from?" "Oh, do you know Zach? He also lives in New York."

Sure enough, Zach was a past roommate and friend, and this connection led to instant excitement and energy coursing throughout the group. 

Slowly, that shyness and tiredness was replaced with pure excitement as we continued asking more in-depth questions and started becoming friends. Coming from the East and West Coast, we found commonalities within our religion, hobbies, passions, and customs, which began to bond us and bring us closer as a group. 

 While the day started bright and early with a hike, songs and games quickly begun. As we hiked to an amazing fresh spring, we had time to appreciate the opportunity ahead of us.

Directly after this beautiful hike, we traveled to the Golan Heights to learn about the relationship between Israel and Syria. Our group began discussing our different views on the increasingly expanding diaspora, and our tour educator helped to lead the discussion. It was a fascinating conversation. 

Following our discussion, we boarded the bus and began drifting down the Jordan River. To me, this was the highlight of the day.  While the water was a little cold, and everyone insisted on splashing around, the time we spent on the raft talking and laughing as a new group is something I will remember forever.

Later, we gathered to play ice breakers and learn more about each other! I look forward to more fun adventures with #Bus356. 

Photo credits: Header Image-jstein2418, Image 1-@jstein2418, Image 2-@mes3418, Image 3-@mike_wyckoff