When did you go on a Birthright Israel trip and with which organizer? How was it?: I went on Birthright this past June 2015 with Shorashim. My group leaders were Jordyn Harris and Alex Feder (AKA Mom and Dad).

Why did you decide to go to Israel: Going to Israel (and on birthright specifically) was something I had always wanted to do, but to be honest never fully expected to see through because of timing/scheduling conflicts...etc (Insert more excuses here).  Fortunately, both my cousin and I had an availability this summer and made the decision to sign up for the trip. My main reason for wanting to go was not necessarily for religious regions, but more so to have an adventure, gain perspective and a greater understanding of what it is to be Jewish. By the time I left, I had all three and so much more. We had gained a family in the Israeli Soldiers on our trip and with my bus-mates as well.

What is your favorite trip memory/funniest story: I know I'm only supposed to pick one memory here, but there's too many so I'm picking two memories and I'll try my best to keep them short. The first memory is when we went rafting through the Jordan River. My cousin Sam, myself and our Israeli Soldiers jumped ship and, as if we were pirates, started taking over other rafts eventually leading to a full on splash fest with our fellow bus 899ers. All the while, chanting the Hava Nagila and beating our chests with our paddles like a medieval war cry. That day was EPIC. The second memory was a night we went out in Jerusalem. Our entire Bus took over this bar that was empty when we got there. By the end of the night we were all singing backstreet's back on top of the tables.... any night with BSB on the playlist has no option but to be legendary.

You are from: Chicago

Where are you living now: Chicago

How do you pay the bills: I am currently the Vice President of a company called www.TheGreenPetShop.com which specializes in manufacturing an developing Eco-Friendly Pet Products. Additionally, I coach HS/Youth lacrosse in Deerfield/Lake Forest. I have also been actively pursuing a career as a Hip-Hop Artist since 2011 and regularly perform around the Midwest and Chicagoland area.

Favorite food from Israel: Shwarma

Your claim to fame/fun fact: I once threw a burrito into a moving ceiling fan and successfully cleared the blades. (See: Jeffrey Weisberg for proof).

After Birthright Israel, Brian was feeling so inspired, he wrote a song about his trip. Check out Brian's song Love IsRael now on iTunes. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to JUF.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX8K8641npA

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-israel-single/id1026256739