Meet your #Bus223 Staff
Get ready for an amazing adventure! #Birthright #Shorashim
*All pictures are either from your staff’s first trip to Israel, in general or as a staff person, or one of their favorite places*
Michal Lieberman
How long have you been a tour educator?
Five years.
How long have you been working with Shorashim?
Five years.
Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days?
The Israelis are integral part of the group. they are not guests and not the hosts. I'ts hard for me to imagine having them only for five days. I think you will understand when you'll meet them (:
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I can't touch ice!
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
The future is unknown so don't make too much effort with planning it.
What's your favorite Shorashim memory?
At the Bedouin tent when everyone sits around the bonfire and we sang songs together.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
Oatmeal with fruits. I eat it anywhere. (It's Israeli because I make it).
What's your favorite place that you have ever travelled to and why?
Iceland. because it's the best. hot water from the ground, natural light shows up in the sky ( the northern light) , music, creativity, large open spaces, mountains, oceans, no crime..Also, Berlin though. Cool people, crazy art scene, cheap and full of options.
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Open your mind and heart!
Justin Hayet
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
Baltimore and now in Binghamton.
What do you do for a living?
I am a graduate student at Binghamton University studying Public Administration.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
In 2009, I went on an organized teen tour.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I was once asked to be on the Jerry Springer show. (I pranked the Jerry Springer show as a joke and they wanted me to be on the show).
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
I love the coast of Jaffa overlooking Tel Aviv with the sun shinning on the ocean and with the backdrop of a constantly developing Tel Aviv.
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
Israel.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
I love ice coffee. Each cup of Aroma Iced Coffee is beyond worth it.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
I really admire how open and honest Israelis are overall. I think America can be a little phony and Israel, for better or for worse, is just so honest. It's refreshing.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
JNF is connected to the history of Israel so it only seems natural to go on a trip with JNF/Shorashim to learn about the past and build a future together.
What /who is your spirit animal and why?
I've always wanted to be a dolphin. Period.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result"
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Open yourself up to Israel, Israelis, your fellow participants and you will grow more in 10 days than you have in the past 10 years.
Jamie Kramer
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
Michigan, originally. Currently living In Maryland.
What do you do for a living?
I am a special education teacher at West Annapolis Elementary School.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
The first time I went to Israel was in 2004.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I have biked around Lake Michigan twice.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
My favorite place to visit in Israel is Tel Aviv.
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
Israel is my favorite place because I always feel at home.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
I would being back the Israeli culture and food.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
Falafel in the shuk.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
Everyone should do Shorashim because you get to travel and experience Israel with Israeli participants for the whole trip.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
To never regret the things you do only the things that you didn't do.
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Let yourself be open to new foods, places, and to new people to allow yourself to have the best trip possible.
