Meet Your Staff: Shoshana, Misha, and Elaun
Shoshana Gibbor
Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Originally from Toms River, New Jersey and now live in Cambridge, MA.
What do you for a living? I work at MIT and Wellesley College, as the Director of Birthright & Israel Engagement. By fusing together my love for Judaism and Israel with outreach and engagement programming, I have been able to inspire students to become more active, commitment members of the Jewish Community. My philosophy is all about meeting the student where he/she is at and walking side by side on their journey of discovery. I work to seek out students interested in exploring more about their Jewish heritage, while connecting them with the opportunity of participating on a Taglit-Birthright Israel experience. I prepare pre-trip programming, staff the trips, and then help the returning alumni re-engage back on campus.
When did you go to Israel for the first time? I first went to Israel in between my Junior and Senior year of High School when I was 17 years old. I was a participant on USY's Eastern Europe/Israel Pilgrimage tour and got to spend the first 2 weeks of summer visiting Poland, Hungry, and the Czech Republic. From there, my group traveled to Israel and spent four glorious weeks touring and learning together.
What's a fun fact about yourself? Random Fact: I studied mental health counseling in Graduate School and worked for two years as a Counselor in an intensive outpatient program for youth with emotional and behavioral disturbances as well as with teens and adults with substance abuse issues. Fun Fact: I was a dancer growing up and danced for 20 years of my life and was a competitive dancer 12 of those years. I even minored in dance as an undergrad.
What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? My favorite Israeli food is Shakshuka however I don't have a favorite place to eat it - I mostly enjoy it when it's homemade by an Israeli :-) I do, however, ONLY eat Sabich from ONE place in Tel Aviv near Shuk HaCarmel. I don't actually know what it's named but it's on Tchernikovsky St. near Allenby/Ben Yehuda. If you have been there....you just KNOW the one I'm talking about....
If you could bring one thing back to America from Israel, what would it be? If there was one aspect of Israel that I could bring back to America with me, it would be the entrepreneurial environment. I love that in Israel it is acceptable to try anything once, and failing at new ventures is seen as a positive growth experience rather than a black mark on your resume.
What's your favorite place to bring Taglit-Birthright Israel groups? It's so hard to choose just one! Hmmmm..... I really love bringing my Taglit-Birthright Israel groups to Shvil Hasalat. I enjoy this experience because it is so much fun (as well as delicious), but also allows participants to learn a lot about Israeli ingenuity and perseverance. I like how the learning aspect is interspersed with the opportunity for the participants engage in an experience for all the senses! I also love bringing my Taglit-Birthright Israel groups to Har Hertzel on the last full day of the program because I have really seen how much more impactful and meaningful this experience is after the participants have had 10 days to both get to know Israel as well as get to know their Israeli peers who are on the trip with them. They walk away understanding Israel's struggle after gaining an appreciation of the land and building a connection to the country and her people.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? My Favorite place to visit in Israel in the summer time the beach in Tel Aviv - it is most definitely my happy place! I would have to say that of all the places, cities, and micro-climates of Israel, I also believe that my favorite place to visit is the Negev. I love the hiking in the desert and being out in the open space of the Negev is a humbling and beautiful feeling for me.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? The #1 reason that I recommend traveling on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim to my friends, family, and all college students is because Shorashim provides the most comprehensive experience. Getting to spend all ten days with the Israeli mifgash is incredibly important in my opinion, and allows for the participants to build really deep, lasting friendships with their Israeli peers. I also believe that Shorashim trips are able to provide participants with an insanely fun 10 days while also putting a premium on the educational content. Their trips are unbelievably enriching and substantive and the Israeli Tour Educators that staff Shorashim trips are by far the best, most experienced guides in the business!Shorashim cares about each individuals experience while on the trip, and that shines through in all their efforts and how supportive they are while both before the trip departs and while on the ground in Israel. I LOVE & APPRECIATE SHORASHIM!
What's your spirit animal? GREAT QUESTION - but I have not actually done enough soul searching and researching to REALLY know what my true spirit animal is, although this is actually something I am interested in deeply and want to explore more.
Anything else you want to share? This summer will be my 7th trip that I am staffing with Shorashim :-) (and my 9th trip to Israel overall).
Misha Yerlick
Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Berkeley, and Berkeley.
What do you for a living? I'm a private math and science tutor and am starting a company with a childhood friend.
When did you go to Israel for the first time? When I was about 18 months old.
What would you like to bring back to America from Israel? The pita, the hummus, and not being overly polite.
What's your favorite place to bring Taglit groups? Masada.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? The shuk (open air market), specifically the stores with tons of spices and anywhere that sells Kube.
What's a random fun fact about yourself? I was the director of a hip-hop group in college.
What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? Shwarma... anywhere that sells shwarma..
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? To see Israel the right way and get to hang out with Israeli's the whole time!
What's your spirit animal and why? Hummingbird because I eat every ten minutes.
Anything else that you want to share? Just my energy and fun!
Elaun Rave
How long have you been a guide? Since July 2011.
What's your favorite Shorashim memory? The first time I did a closing "Achim" at the end of my first Shorashim Birthright trip.
What's a fun fact about yourself? I am the only boy in a family with five kids.
What's your favorite site to go to take participants to on Taglit? Mt. Hertzl.
If you could say one thing to future participants, what would it be? You are about to get an opportunity that could change your life. You should savor every moment, say yes to every new experience and make the most of each day. You Only Birthright Once!
Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days? The single best way to get to know a place is through the people.
