The Ramah Israel Seminar Experience 2019 by Ayelet Weiderhorn

On the days leading up to Seminar, I was a little nervous because there would be so many new people in one place. However, before our flight even took off, I had made a bunch of new friends.  I made the decision to go on the Poland trip in addition to Israel, and it was extremely powerful and meaningful. I learned so much about my history and Jewish identity, and became very close with everyone on my Poland bus.  I feel that this trip to Poland really prepared me for the next part of my summer in Israel.

Having visited Israel many times before, I was worried that the trip would feel repetitive. However, I could not have been more wrong. We are one week into Seminar, and it feels like I am in Israel for the first time. Being here with so many old and new friends is amazing and I feel more connected with both the land and the people here with me. This week we did many things I have done before like kayaking down the Jordan river, or shopping in Tzfat. We also did many things I have never done before like going on a boat ride on the Kinneret or waking up at 3:45 to see the sunrise. Whether I had already gone to these places or not, the experiences felt new and exciting, and I could not be happier here.

Shabbat Shalom!