When did you go on a Birthright Israel trip and with which organizer? How has it impacted you?: I went in late May this year, with Shorashim! Words can not describe my experience from the trip. I graduated a year early from college and was moving back home, so I decided this would be a perfect summer to go to Israel and hopefully make some new friends. I didn't realize that I signed up for an all Chicago trip, I just thought I was leaving from Chicago. I am 21, but asked to be placed on a trip for 22-26 year old trip, so that I could be with people who may just be starting graduate school, like me, or working in the real world. Everyone says that you make best friends from these trips when your in Israel, but often times because of location, people don't remain close. I realize that I went on Birthright 5 months ago, but my bus (shoutout to bus #873) has still remained close. Right after Israel we of course got together, but even now we plan mini reunions. Less than two weeks ago about 8 of us got together at someones apartment to have a relaxing night. Two of ourIsraelis have come to visit. I get to see two of my fellow birthright participants in LEADS every week, and know that I always have someone to go to one of the Jewish events around Chicago with me. Some people from my trip I talk to on a daily basis and others I may only have contact with from viewing their snapchat story, but I know that my bus participants would always be there if I needed them. It has made the transition to coming home a lot easier than I expected. 

Why did you decide to go to Israel:  I felt that it is important to see the land of the Jewish people and to reconnect with my Jewish heritage. Especially with everything that is happening  in Israel now, it is important to be proud to be Jewish. I wanted to be able to explore my Jewish identity further and going to Israel allowed me to do that.

What is your favorite trip memory: When we were at the bedouin tents, I decided to take a break from all the stories, laughs, and singing to take a moment to myself. I pulled one of those matts across all the huts and placed myself far away from everyone else. I star gazed and took in my surroundings for a good 20 minutes. Although I was by myself, I was able to reflect on my trip thus far and take in every moment to its fullest. That was my aha moment. I was in Israel. Sometimes people feel it when they get off the plane and others when they are leaving, but for me that is when I knew I was in the land of my people.

You are from: I hail from The World's Largest Village, Skokie, IL.

Where are you living now: I have two amazing roommates that I like to call mom and dad. Sometimes when mad, I go more formal by calling them mother and father. 

Favorite food from Israel: I don't have a favorite food from Israel but I really like Makupelet.

Your claim to fame: At the end of each summer at my Jewish summer camp (Camp Chi) we would light C H I on fire in the middle of the lake. Only three campers from the oldest  group got to do it. Out of the 91 campers, I was going to camp the third longest and got to light the CHI. It happened over 5 years ago but I'm still calling it my claim to fame.