Blake Roter

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Northbrook, IL - Chicago, IL.

What do you for a living? Attorney.

When did you go to Israel for the first time? 1999.

What's your favorite Israeli food to eat and favorite place to eat it at? Shwarma in the Shuk.

What's a fun fact about you? I have been to the Olympics, the World Cup, the Final Four and the Rose Bowl.

What's one thing about Israel that you wish you could bring back to America with you? The Sabra lifestyle.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? The Kotel.

Where are you most looking forward to taking your participants to on Taglit? Masada.

Rebecca Kahn-Witman

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? From Philadelphia and live in Washington DC, but moving to Chicago in July!

What do you do for a living? I work for a study abroad company sending college and graduate students around the world!

When did you go to Israel for the first time? I went for a b'nai mitzvah in 1998.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? Yotvata, because shoko b'sakit.

What's a fun fact about yourself? I have dual citizenship with Canada.

What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? If I'm keeping it classy, I would say Dalida in Tel Aviv. Otherwise, Burgers Bar. Always.

Where is your favorite place to take groups on Taglit? Yemin Moshe outside of the Old City. The feel of the area is incredible and it always sparks good discussions.

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be? All of the food. And the lights. But mostly, the food.

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? Because the best way to learn about a country and get immersed (even in a short amount of time) is spending time with the locals! 

What's your spirit animal? Tommy Pickles because he's spunky. 

Ori Adelstein

How long have you been a guide? Five years.

What's your favorite Shorashim memory?  I was a participant on Shorashim trip, and that's one of my favorites memories. The whole thing.

What's a fun fact about yourself? I was a weather forcaster in the army.

What's your favorite part about Israel? The atmosphere, the paople, 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.

What's your favorite Israeli food? Where's your favorite place in Israel to eat it? My mom's food.

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 site to go to take participants to on Taglit? I love the desert experience, but it's hard for me to pick one favorite place...

What's your favorite city in Israel and why? Tev Aviv-it's my home town, this is where I grew up and it's deffinitely the best city in the world!  :)

If you could say one thing to future participants, what would it be? Keep in touch with the friends you made, with people you meet, and with Israel!

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' nothing more important that meeting other people. Ee 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!