As I’m sure everyone would agree, there aren’t enough words to describe how Israel impacted us. On the last day of the trip we all got together and told each other what we expected to get out of this trip and what one thing is that we are taking home with us from Israel; it turned out that not one person struggled to find at least one thing that they are bringing back with them. We are taking back knowledge of culture, new friendships, new understanding of a way of life, and most of all a newfound connection to our homeland. Each day on this trip was truly a gift that cannot be taken from us and each day provided something completely new for us to experience. For me, I said I was taking back a respect for a different lifestyle, just what I had expected. But truly, it’s much more than that. Being in Israel made everything else in my life outside of Mayanot 217 just disappear, or at least faze me much less. The people we met from Israel introduced a completely different mindset that before this trip was too hard to fathom. I observed selflessness, unity and nationalism from the soldiers, more knowledge than I could imagine from our guides on the trip, and just more of a clear head from mostly every person I met there. Entering the school week already I try to put things into perspective after leaving that experience; does living in a tiny dorm really matter that much? Is not knowing who to sit with in a Wednesday lecture class the end of the world? No, obviously not. When my friends ask me about how Israel was, my typical answer has been amazing, the atmosphere there is just different. Those reading this that haven’t been to Israel, well first off I truly recommend it, and second I apologize but unless you experience it, there is no way to fully understand this explanation.
One of our last nights in Israel we were lucky enough to experience Shabbat at the Western Wall. On the way there the only thing most of us were focusing on was the three mile walk back to the hotel in the cold before even eating dinner. Although that was rough, when we got there the last thing we were concentrating on was the walk. The girls and boys were separated but we participated in the same service full of dancing and singing and praying. For me and I believe most others, I took a moment to stand on one of our chairs and turn around completely; there must have been hundreds of people there. At that moment it was hard to deny the overwhelming community that we were lucky enough to be born into as Jews; like everyone had been saying, we were home.
Throughout my personal Jewish exploration of becoming a Bat Mitzvah, being confirmed, and even going through my Temple graduation, I remained not the most religious. I waver on my beliefs but have always remained certain of my sense of community with fellow Jews. Before the trip I had my congregation and maybe a couple of Jewish friends, now I realize that I have Israel.
Every trip to Israel is different through Birthright and I am so lucky to be placed with this one. Holly, Shira, Noach, and the Rabbi were all amazing and were crucial to making this trip the best it could be. Like the Rabbi says, everything happens for a reason; we were all meant to be on this specific trip and everything we experienced has a meaning in each of our lives. Whether it be camel riding at sunrise, bonding with our visiting soldiers, or going out all together, every moment of this trip was unforgettable.
Mayanot 217 <3
Melanie McCullough