Traveling to Israel with Shorashim
The best decision this guest blogger ever made.
Written by: Jordan Reich, Shorashim alum
We all have our own personal agendas and an idea of what we want to accomplish by a certain age, right? One of the adventures I always wanted to take was an adventure traveling to Israel. Last year, I decided it was time for me to take initiative and check this exciting journey off my bucket list. As a Jewish individual, we have from the time we are 18 to 26 to go on the adventure of a lifetime with Birthright Israel. But, with that opportunity comes many options and many trip providers. I did my research and decided that traveling with Shorashim was the best option for me. I’ve made a lot of good decisions in my life, but this was hands-down the best and most life-changing choice I have made in all my years, for many reasons.
Reason #1
Israeli participants with you for ALL 10 days of the trip! They are there chanting “Achim Simcha” (Brothers in Happiness) when you arrive and they’re there sobbing in the airport when you leave. Not only did I become best friends with said Israelis, but I also got to truly immerse myself in the Israeli culture. Hearing stories first-hand about how the Israelis on my trip live their life and what they believe, while spending so much time with them traveling all around Israel, really added to the experience because you don’t feel like you are just traveling to Israel, instead, you feel like you are actually living life with your new Israeli friends.
Reason #2
The activities force you to think outside of the little bubble we all live in inside of our minds. These activities really get you into the feels. One of my favorite activities on this trip was going into Rabin Square, in Tel Aviv, where I got to meet a gentleman with twin 5-month-old girls. We sat for an hour talking (I held up my group a little but that’s a different story) about his life, the assassination of Rabin, work, his girls, and so much more. This stranger shared so much of his life with me and verified his words of “if you go up to any Israeli we will help you and share with you.” I will never forget him. My second favorite activity was watching my new friends as they experienced their Bar/Bat Mitzvah on Masada. Our whole bus came together as one and celebrated our new friends’ new lives as Jewish adults. This adventure was so impactful for my friends that they wanted to take this next step in their Jewish life, and watching that was simply inspiring. It made me beyond proud to be Jewish.
Reason #3
The scenery. We were lead on the most beautiful hikes throughout all of Israel, with the best tour guide. During each hike, we would pull out our “date-clocks” (being asked to “date” 12 different people isn’t all that bad) and we were given a topic to discuss, whether it be personal or something about Israel. During these times, we really had time to evaluate ourselves and take in the incredible views around us. I can honestly say I “found myself” in Israel because of these amazing interactions in these beautiful settings.
Reason #4
Literally everything else that Shorashim provided us with in Israel. The opportunity to meet new people, fall in love with a beautiful country and culture, eat endless amounts of (impeccable) falafel, and as cliché as it sounds, make some of the best friends I will ever have, American and Israeli.