Friends,
In just over 3 weeks FSU and ASU (collectively called bus 988) will embark on the best journey of their lives- Taglit Birthright Israel. For most, this is their first time to our homeland. For many this is their first time being so far from home. We will be posting thoughts on our journey as it goes on as well as when we come home. I urge you all to check back periodically and see how we are doing!
Jenna Citron
Jewish Student Life Associate
Hillel at FSU
Readers,
This year Hillel at FSU aims to take more Jews to Israel than any year before! Know a Jewish student who has never been on an organized trip to Israel? Point them in the right direction—–>>> www.freeisraeltrip.org Provider: Hillel School: FSU Trip date: Summer/May
By: Ron Krudo a Seminole in Jlem volunteering at an orphanage!!
One of the schools I work at is in Ramot, Jerusalem. The students there average from age 15-18 and all have their own unique personalities. I leave my house typically around 4 pm for an hour bus ride to the house in a beautiful part of the city. I get to them around 5 and go straight to the soccer fields where I teach them a new sport every week. We do on average 2 hours of sports and activities before heading back to the house around 7. I then hang out with the kids while they have dinner, play on the computers, and play pool. I’m like a friend and counselor to them, in which they can come to me to talk about nething. From there we have our evening prayers at around 9-9:30 and finish at about 10. That’s when I jump on the bus and head home, which is of course another hour bus ride. My night typically ends at around 11 when I’m completely exahausted after a 7 hour fun filled evening!
By: Ron Krudo, a Seminole in Jerusalem volunteering at an Orphanage!
When I started working at the orphanage I noticed that there were a ton of guys my age volunteering too, but they were doing it instead of the army. So I began asking around why there were no other outsiders volunteering? That’s when I found out I was the first to come from outside the country! Two times a year the orphanage has groups of high schoolers or college students help with the holidays, but there has never been someone volunteer from another country. The typical email like the one I sent inquiring on volunteering starts by saying their interested and would love to make a difference, but ends with them explaining they don’t speak Hebrew or have experience. Gershon, my supervisor, explained to me that my introductory email said it all and won me the chance to be the first ever to volunteer from abroad. I started feeling really speacil and that’s also when I noticed the kids reactions to the fact that I’m not getting paid has been very surprised. I was doing something unique and am the only one to have done it at their orphanage. After 4 weeks Gershon did an evaluation of my work and asked my individual supervisor at each location and the head rabbi how I have been doing lately. The response from all of them was that I was doing an amazing job and am a crucial asset to the orphanage. I’m making a difference with the sports I’m teaching these kids and it feels great!
An Overwhelming and Wonderful Week
By: Noa Gafni
Noa was one of eight Israeli soldiers on Bus 930 taking part in the Mifgash experience. Thanks for sharing Noa!!!
I’d like to share with all of you my experience from the overwhelming and wonderful week I spent with American Students on their “Birthright” trip to Israel. For me, as a born Israeli, this trip is known as “Taglit”, meaning discovery. And so it was. A few weeks have passed and I’m still trying to figure out what it means to me. For many soldiers “Taglit” may seem like an opportunity to get a vacation from the army life, but even I – who knew about it, waited a long time to apply for it, and was terribly excited when I finally got to go – even I couldn’t expect this strong unforgettable experience.
Nothing in the one-day seminar could prepare me for the feeling of seeing everything I’m so familiar with as if I saw it for the first time. They don’t tell you how weird it feels to get so emotional from things you take for granted, because you see it through the students’ eyes. I think the moment everything hit me was when I read the citation engraved on stones beneath the Relic of a Second Temple arch: ”And when you shall see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb.” I was blown away, and that moment reflects my entire discovery from this week. I saw it and I realized how lucky I was to live in this beautiful land which is so meaningful for many of you. I am so grateful I got this new appreciation for my country and my existence here. I am grateful for everyone how contributed to this empowering experience – the staff and mostly the students! They knew how to express and share their feelings, thoughts and affection. I made many new friends among them which I hope to keep in touch with. My enthusiasm and theirs will probably fade as we all go back to our own life – in college or in the army. However, I’m convinced that these meaningful moments and experiences will last for a long time.
Indescribable
By: Jordan Ashley, Jordan is a student at The Citadel and a member of the Taglit: Birthright Israel Bus 930 crew!
There were a lot of experiences I could write about in Israel so it is tough to pick out one. Seeing all the sites, meeting new friends, and enjoying all the experiences- I can never forget this trip. Since I’ve been home and people ask me “what is the most memorable part of the trip?” I usually tell them our drive into Jerusalem. To me Jerusalem has always been this fairytale mythical place that I’ve only heard about through pictures and stories. From friends who had previously been on the trip, seeing Jerusalem was indescribable and I never understood why- until I went myself. Playing the Matisyahu song on the bus going through the tunnel, anticipation on everyone’s faces to see what we all knew what was coming was exciting in itself, but to come out of the tunnel and see the Dome of the Rock and the Old City just put chills down my spine. It was at this moment I knew that although I had never been here, I was actually arriving at home (as corny as that sounds). I’ve never had an experience like that in life with another person or place that I’ve felt so connected and so comfortable in a place that wasn’t my actual home
Still “Chigh”…
By: Brett Leone, Brett is a Senior at FSU and a brother in ZBT.
Words can’t describe the experiences I had during my 10 day Birthright trip. It was my first trip to Israel and I can tell you that it definitely will not be my last trip. I would have to say the highlight of the trip was everything. I can’t pinpoint one thing that stood out more than another. When people ask me what was my favorite part I tell them about everything because all of it was amazing! If you asked me what I brought home from Israel, I would have to say 10 new best friends. Having the opportunity to go on this trip with other Jewish students helped to make the trip even more enjoyable. I am grateful to Hillel and Taglit-Birthright for giving me the opportunity to take this amazing trip. I can’t wait to return to Israel!
My Experience in Israel
By: Elan Weschler- Elan is a junior at FSU and Executive Vice President of Hillel at FSU!
My experience with Taglit Hillel Birthright could not have been more phenomenal. We journeyed to many locations in Israel, learning about the history and culture of the country along the way. However, what is more important than learning about the history and culture of this great country, was experiencing the sights and sounds of Israel itself. Whether it was kayaking in the gentle current of the River Jordan, or hearing the hustle and bustle of a market in Jerusalem hours before Shabbat, each experience was unique. All of these experiences with the fact that I was surrounded with people my own age who I now call my friends, made my time in Israel all the more memorable. Since the year 2004 I have had Israel citizenship but it never really meant a lot to me as I never felt like I was Israeli. Now not only has my Birthright trip made me even prouder of my Jewish Heritage but that I truly feel that Israel is my country, and that is a feeling that is indescribable.
by: Rob Krudo (FSU student with a serviceship in Jerusalem)
Entry #2
Even before I started at the Blumenthal orphanage I got the vibe from my entirefamily that I was about to entire a totally different world. The stereotype of the orphanage I was going to work at was one of a very orthodox society, the heriedie life style. From members of the non religious community they saw them as extreme fanatics for the Jewish religion who had all intentions to change anyone they met. This was clearly not the case! I got into a conversation with one of the other counselors about the differences between their religious community and the non religious community. I was shocked to see that they also had a stereotype for everyone else who didn’t belong to their sect of the religion. They believed that none of them followed the religion or believed the values that Judaism instilled in them. Although this was the views of only a few people I started to notice that perspectives had gotten the best of everyone here and I was stepping in to make a difference. Even after my first interview I was warned that if my values didn’t follow that of the orphanage I wouldn’t be invited to work there, but it turned out I was welcomed with open arms. I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t religious and working there, but I was definitely the youngest. On my first day I got many looks from the employees and kids, but over time I have been accepted. I personally have realized that they arn’t fanatics and are just like me, trying to make the world a better place. They may do it their way and I may do it my way, but we all have the same goals in mind. Their kind hearted people who have an amazing family and they invited me into their family even though I was different. I’ve decided to join them with an open mind and never to let the perspective get in my way. They didn’t judge me and I won’t judge them. This alone will make my next 5 weeks coast right by!
Aniko Gomory is a Sophomore at Florida State University and a Tglit-Birthright: Israel- Hillel at FSU Bus 930 participant!
I’ve been home for about a week now, and everybody keeps asking me how I enjoyed my first trip to Israel. At first, I struggled with how to answer. Nothing I came up with seemed to do my feelings justice. I’ve finally come up with a response: my birthright trip was the single most significant and meaningful thing that has ever happened to me. Not only was the experience enlightening, but it was also the most fun I have ever had. I returned to Tallahassee, but my heart remains in Israel. It is not like I made a new connection to the land while I was there. It is as though I simply unearthed my roots there. I am already counting the days until I can go back. I am forever grateful to Taglit-Birthright for giving me the best gift I have ever received; the discovery of my home.
