Day 7: Shabbat and Ben-Yehuda street

Shabbat! 

Along with a handful of people we walked to synagogue for Shabbat services. 

We came back to the hotel and had lunch. Participates from our trip were Bar/Bat Mitzvahed (mostly those who have not been Bnai Mitzvahed before). 

Then we took a Shabbat walk to a local park, where we discussed Jewish mitzvot; we had to sort the mitzvot into our top 10, top 5, top 1 mitzvot. 

It was really interesting to hear the different view points from each person of our group. The opinions between us Anericans and the Israelis were different. When it came to the mitzvot of Tikkun Olam, the Israelis didn't find it as important - Israelis don't take part in Tikkun Olam as we do. 

Rest time / nap time! 

Dinner at the hotel. The snitzle was so yummy! (It's basically a chicken nuget). 

Havdallah on top of the roof of the hotel was so peaceful and wonderful! What a great week to start the week!

We went to Ben-Yehuda street for evening free time. It wasn't what I expected it to be, but there was a lot of excitement with lots of people! 

Day 8: Speaker, Mt. Herzl, Save a Child's Heart

Day 6: Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Shabbat

Day 6! Can't believe Birthright is halfway over. 

In the morning we were in Jaffa; met 7 soldiers who are now apart of our group, experienced the Jaffa Flea Market- where we got yummy Israeli food, and explored. 

After we went to Rabin Square, and learned more about the city, history etc... Then we took part of a scavenger hunt around Tel Aviv (and drank yummy smoothies). 

Next we experienced Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian mall. I met up with a friend who made Aliyah (moved to Israel) and is in the IDF (Israel Defense Force). He took me to a great restruant; we had shukukah, hummus, pita, and Israeli salad (SO GOOD).

Afterward, we rode back to the hotel to (shower) prepare for Shabbat. 

Lit Shabbat candles and then went outside. In Jerusalem, when Shabbat arrives, an alarm sounds throughout Jerusalem, signifying the start of Shabbat. Our group was in a circle together taking in all the sounds and smells of Shabbat (very powerful moment). 

Next was Shabbat services; dinner, followed by an oneg. 

Day 7: Shabbat and Ben-Yehuda street

Day 5: Yad Vashem & Western Wall

We were warned at the beginning of the day that this was going to be the most intense Birthright day. 

We started at Yad Vashem. 

At Yad Vashem we were led on a guided tour. It was intense - especially the children's memorial. We learned a lot in the 4 hours we were there. 

Next we loaded back up in the bus and drive to lunch in the Old City. I got yummy falafel! There were even 4 flavors of falafel; (Seseeme, Cilantro, Spicy and Orginal) they were all so yummy! It also came with "chips" -- fried potato (SO good!). 

After a late lunch we went to the Jewish Quarter...Old City of Jersusalem, Kotel (Western Wall). Going to the Western Wall was very emotional. We received letters from our parents before we wrote our own notes to place in the wall. It was an amazing experience. 

When we were at the Kotel it was so nice to run into a familiar face; family friend who made Aliyah and serving in the IDF. 

After the Kotel was Mamilla (shopping area) aka expensive American shopping that is cheaper at home. A very close family friend met up with me during our free time/dinner. It was so wonderful to see her! She made Aliyah 10 years ago and used to be our neighbor/babysit us. 

Finally we did an activity since the Israeli participants will be joining us on Day 6. 

Day 6: Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Shabbat. 

Day 4: Masada & Dead Sea

What an intense day it was! Masada...took our breath away...literally...I was very scared to climb Masada. We all did it! When we completed the trek our legs were all shaking. Our educational guide Jeremy turned on music on us at the bottom. What do you do when you finish climbing? Dance to Cupid Shuffle... 

Dead Sea was very cool. We all put mud on ourselfs, and then went in and floated! 

(Lots of pictures to come. Not all my photos are on my phone.)

We then went to Jersulaum and took part, with the other 2 buses, in celebration / prayer with wine and challah. The excitement was wonderful! Lot of singing and dancing. 

In Jersulaum for the next few days! 

Day 5: Yad Vashem & Western Wall.

Day 3: Desert

Day 3 was long & hot but beautiful & amazing. 

We hiked. 

We hiked some more. 

We went to David Gurion (and his wife's) grave. 

We did more hiking. 

We rode camels 

We ate in the desert. 

We went on a (silent) meaningful night hike. 

We "slept" in the desert. 

It is so amazing and mind boggling that we are in Israel. The sights are nothing like we imagined. No way to describe it until you see it for yourself. 

Everything is so in the moment and calm; a peaceful change. We are all so happy to be here, to be with others so passionate and excited. 

The night was very cold. When it's cold, it's cold!! When it's hot, it's hot!! The next few nights we will be in Jersulaum! 

Day 4 = Masada, Dead Sea and Jersulaum! 

Day 2: NYC --> Israel

Second flight = complete! 

The flight to Israel definitely wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. Really smooth flight. We were all surprised at how big the plane is: 2 levels & long; the rows sit 11 across (3-5-3). 

Our mental and body clocks are all off. We have been traveling for more than 24 hours; but, loving every moment of it! We didn't end up boarding till past 230am (we were suppose to take off at 230am). I got sleep - not sure how many hours I slept but I slept a few times. I totally slept through dinner (oops). 

The TVs were playing The Lego movie so I watched part of that. Read more of The Fault In Our Stars (I said I couldn't promise that I wouldn't read it on the plane. I warned the people I was sitting next to that if I was crying it was just the book.) And I of course played with an adorable baby.

Just getting to the point to check out bags took a while & was a different process than I expected (super safe policys). When it was our turn, we went up to the station (individually), gave our passports and was asked a (long) series of questions. (Did you celebrate Passover? What's on the sedar plate? Do you speak Hebrew? Do you have family in Israel? Do you go to synagogue? What's the name of the Rabbi at the synagogue you go to?...)

If a picture wasn't taken, did you really fly? 

Hello Israel! I'm so excited to finally be here!! We are on the bus (hey hey wifi) and just met our funny "travel educator." He said our ride to the hotel is "50 minutes and 3 seconds." 

Day 1: DTW --> JFK

!!!!!!!
TODAY
DTW ---> JFK

Yesterday, my friend posted on my Facebook wall: "This is appropriate since you leave tomorrow!! http://www.buzzfeed.com/israelinny/66-reasons-why-we-love-israel-hvel"; this is just some of the many things I'll be doing on my trip to Israel...

We flew from DTW --> NYC. 9 of us (from various schools) were all on the same flight. Once we landed in NYC we had HOURS to kill - we visited almost every terminal; got food, played cards, charged our phones, read, got to know each other... 

This is what happens when we find 1 outlet area...

We are through security in NYC. We have about an hour till we actually leave NYC for Israel. See ya soon Israel! 

Almost

Our trip (to Israel) is almost here. 

Almost 37 hours till takeoff. 

Tomorrow (Sunday) we will fly from Michigan --> NYC and then NYC --> Israel! I can't believe this day is almost here; a day I have been looking forward to for quite some time. Along with about 40 other college students from Michigan schools (MSU, WMU, EMU, etc...) we will meet other Birthright groups and travel along together. 

I just can't believe this day is almost here; an opportunity I have been waiting for. I'm excited to meet family that I haven't met before...To be in a country I haven't been to before, but have learned so much about. To experience all new opportunities about so much more! 

My plan is to write an entry about each day - to post when we have wifi. 

Thanks for all the support, phone calls, texts, and well wishes! I look forward to sharing about my trip.  

Fast Forward; Pause

It has been quiet awhile since I have last blogged... The end of the semester happened... I ended with a 3.87 semester GPA (making Deans List)! I worked really hard, met amazing new friends, and was able to take part in exciting and new oppertunities (I am serving on different 3 exec boards within campus student organizations). 

Fast forward to now, here I am. In a little over a week I'll be on my way to Israel. This week, I babysat, started my internship, babysat-overnights: for a family with a 1.5 year old and a less than a week year old, worked on the 8th grade Cedar Point trip for the middle school I went to, hung out with friends; and more! 

This week I will pause, pack, and work. I don't know what to expect. I have never been to Israel. I'm excited to see and explore a new country. I'm nervous for the long flight. I'm looking forwarding to meeting family members that I haven't met before. 

A week from now I will be getting ready to board the plane. So many people are excited for me. I'm excited. A new adventure lays ahead...