Week #3 in Israel has been a crazy and amazing whirlwind. We literally are on the go 24/7 between our very full school days and the overnight and day trips we take several times a week, we are busy!!!!!

This week we boarded a bus and headed to the West Bank to visit an army base. This past summer I visited a base with my family, but this was a little different.  We volunteered and barbecued for the soldiers, sat down and had conversations with them and really just soaked up what life is life for them. It was super fun. 

Preparing a meal for a lot of people is not as easy as it looks so my friends and I divided and conquered by cutting, grilling, and preparing food for all. I even got a chance to talk to a few of soldiers about the different positions they have and about how all of their lives were impacted by the tragedies of October 7. As Americans, we live predominantly in a safe place and our biggest challenges are so minuscule in comparison; however, when you sit down and talk with the soldiers who are no different then you or I, you’re really able to see another perspective. They have to get up and fight on a daily basis, whether it’s physically, mentally or digitally, they have to constantly be on. It’s intense, but what was so nice was that we got to experience the different ways the soldiers have fun on the base by watching them play backgammon, dance, sing and listen to Israeli music. It was so much fun to be dancing and singing with the same people protecting this country. It was a surreal experience. I always knew that IDF soldiers were young; however it was crazy to see that these soldiers were only just a few years older than me and they were protecting an entire country during one of the most intense wars in Israeli history. It made me feel empowered that I really can do anything if I put my mind to it, even at a young age. 

Next stop was the old city of Jerusalem. We have been to Jerusalem multiple times in the last few weeks but we specifically stayed and learned about the old city. We went to the Southern part of the Second Temple and then we had time to venture out and explore the shops. I was with 3 of my friends and we walked to get acai bowls, I found this cute little jewelry shop near the Arab quarter, and I spotted this bracelet through the window. We of course went into the shop and bought the bracelets. 🙂 I loved shopping in Jerusalem with my friends. It was pretty awesome having a familiarity in Israel because many of the stores I went into, I had remembered going into with my family this past summer.  I felt this boost of independence, as this time I was in the store with me, myself and my girlfirends, and not my family. 

After our shopping stint, we boarded the bus and drove south near the Dead Sea. I was able to see Jordan over the sea which is so crazy that their boarder is so close. Our Israel studies teachers took us to an abandoned Jordanian hotel where we meditated and watched the sunset. I was able to sit in silence with my thoughts for the first time since I have been here. Remember, I had said it’s been 24/7? I wasn’t joking. I was able to reflect on how I was sitting in land once owned by enemies and now the land was Israel.  I also thought about the fact that even though I was physically so close to a place where Jewish people like me aren’t welcome, I still felt a sense of safety. That night we slept on a Kibbutz near Masada. I have never been on a Kibbutz before so it was really interesting to see the different way of life the people living on it had. We were prepared to wake up at 3am the next morning, however;  there was a rainstorm which made us postpone the Masada hike to later in the morning. 

After the rain, and a day later, we set out to hike Masada. I was in Masada this past summer with my family; however we were there in the middle of summer which meant insane temperatures, so when we went,  we took the easy route – the cable car. 🙂

This time around we took the hardest trail, the Snake Path. I started out hiking near the front of the group and then migrated to the near back very quickly. I hiked with a couple friends and we definitely took our time, by stopping every couple seconds to catch our breath. Once I made it to the top, I felt accomplished. I made it and I didn’t die doing it. 🙂

The views of the Judean desert and the Dead Sea from the distance were incredible. I felt so rewarded that even though the hike was brutal and extremely hot, I still did it and I felt proud of myself that I didn’t give up. We spent time at the top of Masada learning about the history and significance of Masada.

Masada is a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army, in 73 A.D. It was built as a palace complex, in the classic style of the early Roman Empire, by Herod the Great, King of Judaea, (reigned 37 – 4 B.C.).

We then took the cable car down and rewarded ourselves with a dip in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea was so much fun as my friends and I put mud everywhere on our bodies as we floated, laughed and soaked up the rays of sunshine. It was awesome!

This week has been full, as I shared. Our next trip we went on was in Ber Korba where we crawled through these tiny tunnels where the ancient Jews fought against the Romans. It took place in the year 132 CE which was crazy to actually touch and see the history. On the walls inside the tunnels there were the same Hebrew letters that I am currently learning how to read and write today. Thousands and thousands of years and some things don’t change. The tunnels were unlike anything I have ever seen before. We had to climb through on our hands and knees to really learn and experience how the Jews hid from the Romans during battle. I have to say that when we learn something in class and then go out and actually experience the very thing we read and discussed, it is beyond incredible.  It really has tightened my connection and understanding of my learning. Did I say that? Yes, I did!! 🙂

This amazing week ended with me celebrating my 16th birthday on an open weekend in Tel Aviv with my two friends. This weekend was probably my favorite that I have spent here. We stayed with my friend Bella’s family friend’s apartment in the middle of Tel Aviv. It was a really fun weekend. We went to a nice sushi restaurant the night before my birthday and then we met up with some of our other friends that were also staying in Tel Aviv. We got ice cream and explored Tel Aviv night life. I felt like I had so much freedom and pairing that with having to be responsible, it was empowering. 

On my actual birthday day, I went out to a cafe to grab my favorite breakfast, avocado toast and smoothies, with my two friends and then later in the day I was able to see one of my camp friends who lives close to Tel Aviv. From Camp Beber in Wisconsin to Tel Aviv, it was awesome to see and hang out with her. Later that day I had a big dinner with all my friends here in my program at an Italian restaurant near campus, which by the way is my favorite type of food. It was weird not being with my family on my birthday, but I generally couldn’t be happier spending it here in Israel with my new favorite people.

Stay tuned for my next adventures!!

Xoxo,