When did you go on a Birthright Israel trip and with which organizer? How was it?: I went in January 2016 with Yael Adventures. It was one of the most eye opening, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Asher, our incredible tour guide, really made the trip what it was.

Why did you decide to go to Israel: Honestly, I wasn't feeling very "Jewish" and there was something missing. I grew up as the only Jewish person in my school, so I felt like it was a bad thing. I just lost touch. This trip was my way of reconnecting.

What is your favorite trip memory/funniest story: I have one of each. My favorite trip memory was actually one of the first activities we did. We said the shehecheyanu blessing at Mt. Arbel to celebrate this new adventure we were about to embark on. It kind of stayed with me. My funniest memory was from the bus on our way to Tel Aviv. Someone started to blast the song "Tel Aviv" by Omer Adam (if you don't know it, go listen!), and one of my fellow Birthright attendees decided to take off his shirt and basically belly dance up and down the center aisle. This became a frequent occurrence throughout the rest of the trip.

You are from: Pittsburgh, PA

Where are you living now: Chicago, IL

How do you pay the bills: I'm an Opera singer by night, Property Administrator by day.

Favorite food from Israel: I have to just pick one?! The falafel and hummus, of course!

Your claim to fame/fun fact: Aside from the opera singer thing, I can talk with my mouth closed (like a ventriloquist). It's actually a little creepy.