Nasya Miller

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Chicago for both!

What do you for a living? I work for Metro Chicago Hillel- and I am specifically located on DePaul University's campus. I am the engagement associate and the sole full-time staff member for DePaul Hillel! 

When did you go to Israel for the first time? I think the first time I went to Israel was in 1997 with my family.

What's your favorite Israeli food to eat and favorite place to eat it at? My favorite Israeli food is Shakshuka!

What's a fun fact about you? I love road tripping. Give me some good company and good snacks- let's hit the road! 

What's one thing about Israel that you wish you could bring back to America with you? The beauty of Israel is that it is the Jewish State and there is the holiness of the country that can't leave that I keep coming back.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? Oh-it is so hard to pick one, but there is nothing like the beach in Netanya. 

Where are you most looking forward to taking your participants to on Taglit? My favorite place to bring groups is Ein Gedi! It is beautiful and fun and active! 

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? If you are from Chicago, they have Chicago Community trips- some from local colleges, but others from people who live near and from but are grew up in Chicago and I think that is so awesome! 

Nathan Benditzon

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Skokie, IL and Skokie, IL :)

What do you do for a living? Metro Chicago Hillel, Director of Development & Operations

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

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? Tsfat for the art and Jerusalem for the food, culture, and Western Wall

What's a fun fact about yourself? I developed my own line of skin care products.

What's your favorite Israeli food? Shawarma.

Where is your favorite place to take groups on Taglit? Tsfat for the art and Jerusalem for the food, culture, and Western Wall.

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

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? Because Israel is an incredibly unique place that everyone should visit.

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? There 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!