As I sit
here watching the Olympics just a couple hours after getting home, I can’t help
but think about our time in Israel and how I wish I could be there right now.
We created so many close bonds, made exciting memories, learned about our
Jewish identities, grew to love Israel and gained a sense of self-confidence.
The first week of touring we really became close as a group while getting to
see Israel at it’s finest. I will never forget the Kotel on Friday night when I
was surrounded by hundreds of Orthodox men as I prayed and put a note in the
wall. It was like an obstacle course trying to weave my way out of the crowd of
Orthodox men all dressed in black suits and top-hats. Along with this, the view
of all of Jerusalem from afar after being blindfolded for 15 minutes was extremely
powerful. Tel Aviv, The Dead Sea and Yad
Vashem were three other places we went to that gave me the feeling of why
Israel is so important to me. It was such a pleasure to not only see, but
experience Israel with 19 other incredible teens from Baltimore. Then as an
added bonus, we were able to tour with our friends from Ashkelon, strengthening
the partnership formed this past winter even further. Overall, this week of
touring really made us all feel a part of Israel and it’s now like a second
home to us.
The second week was Congress, and
despite the lack of quality food, it was an incredible experience. Here we
learned a lot about leadership and also about ourselves. If I had to pick the
most valuable lesson that I learned at Congress, I would say it’s what I
learned about myself. Through many interactions with teens from other cities in
the U.S. and other cities in Israel, I realized that we all are different, but
our differences is what makes us the Jewish people as Avraham Infeld pointed
out in his speech. We were able to make close connections with teens from other
cities who I plan to keep in touch with. In fact, it was extremely sad to say
good-bye to the friends we made from other cities. Coming into the trip I had
no idea that we would become so close with teens from other cities, and I am
very happy that we did. Overall, Congress gave us the opportunity to meet new
people and create close bonds, see different perspectives and learn a lot about
ourselves as Jews and as leaders.
The third week was community week,
and here is where Baltimore and Ashkelon really became Ashkemore (or Baltilon).
Together, we participated in many community service activities and had many
other experiences that really brought us together as a group. This includes
going to each others houses at night and going to the Ashkelon beach which was
beautiful, especially at night. One experience that really had an impact on me
was Shabbat dinner at my host families’ house. The food was incredible, and
even though the family didn’t speak great English, we were still able to have
dinner table conversations as if I had been part of the family forever. It was
sad to say good-bye to my match, my host family and the rest of the Israelis,
but I know we will keep in touch. Some tears were shed, and it was sad to say
good-bye but that moment really signified our partnership as Ashkemore, and
assured me that the partnership will last forever.
Overall, this trip was simply
incredible. For all the reasons I have presented above, it was not only a lot
of fun but extremely valuable in creating close bonds, enhancing our sense of
belonging to Israel, teaching us a lot about leadership and also teaching us
about ourselves as Jews. All of this plays into giving everyone of us a new
sense of self-confidence that will be evident in everything we do, especially
in giving back to this incredible Jewish community. None of this would have
been possible without Megan, Danielle, Justin, Renee, everyone at the
Associated and of course the other teens on the trip. To everyone I just
mentioned, thank you for everything.
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