Meet Your Staff: Bruce, Katie, and Lilach
Bruce Ratain
Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Chicago, Chicago
When did you go to Israel for the first time? With my family while in college. What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it?
What do you for a living? I am a second year law student at Northwestern
What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? Hummus in Yafo--my cousin has taken me to a hummus-only restaurant, that opens at 5am (with a line down the street) and closes when the hummus is gone!
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be? Is good shawarma an acceptable answer? Honestly, I'd bring Israelis--I love the culture, family and friends there, and wish they could all be here as well.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? Does everywhere count? But probably the beach in Tel Aviv!
What's your favorite place to bring Taglit-Birthright Israel groups? Wherever we are doing Shabbat.
Katie Feld
Where are you from originally and where do you live now? I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and now live in Chicago
What do you for a living? I am an underwriter for professional liability insurance.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? I really love being in the old city in Jerusalem. I love the feel of being surrounded by “Judaism” and I like how it feels a little bit ancient and modern at the same time… it makes me feel like I am walking through history! -What's a random fun fact about yourself? I am obsessed with cats!! (but for people who don’t think that that’s a “fun” fact), I am a certified yoga instructor!!
When did you go to Israel for the first time? When I was 16! I went with my summer camp, Camp Interlaken
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? Because they are SO prepared and participant-centered. They think of everything and really care that everyone (staff and participants alike) have a memorable and meaningful experience.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be? Probably Hebrew! I love hearing it every day… (and the amount of cats running around everywhere... only half kidding)
What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? Falafel! It is so authentic and I don’t like eating is anywhere else.
What is your spirit animal and why? A Lioness. (Because they are cats) and also just fierce leaders who have a nurturing/motherly side!
Anything else that you want to share? Both of my sisters live in Israel! I miss them so much, but for any first-timers, it is a testament to how easy it is to get totally sucked in by the amazing-ness of Israel!
Lilach Arad
What's your favorite site to go to take participants to on Taglit? Mount Bental.
What's your favorite city in Israel and why? Jerusalem, for sure!! It's the most beautiful city on Earth!
If you could say one thing to future participants, what would you say? Don't bring all your entire house- you don't need so many things! :)
What's your favorite Shorashim memory? Shabbat service with my first Shorashim group.
What's your favorite Israeli food? Where's your favorite place in Israel to eat it? Rhere is no such a thing "Israeli food"- in Israal you can find every type of food. My favorite is Persian food! and the best place to have it's in my mother's kitchen!
What's your favorite place in Israel? Shabbat service with my first Shorashim group.
What's a fun fact about yourself? I can make my ears move!
What do you love most about Shorashim? The sense of family.
Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days? It makes the experience much more real
Anything else you want to share? Peace and love, come with an open mind!
