Adam Rubinfire (Bus 250)

Where are you from? Metro Detroit (West Bloomfield for those in the know)

Where do you currently live? Lakeview

What do you do for a living? I create marketing content at Modern Healthcare, a magazine that serves leaders at health systems, insurers and various other healthcare companies.

What is your favorite place in Israel? Jerusalem--I love that it is an ancient, biblical city but still manages to have the hustle, bustle, and nightlife of a busy metropolis.

What is your favorite Israeli (Mediterranean) or Jewish food? Sabich! I actually haven't had it in Israel yet, but I tried it in Chicago at the Sabicha pop-up and I'm now obsessed.

What is a fun fact about yourself? I'm a twin! My twin brother lives in Detroit.

What is your best advice to future participants? Spend as much time as you can getting to know the Israelis on your trip. You have a very unique opportunity to have an impactful interaction with them in which you can understand their culture and learn from their experiences. They similarly are going to have the chance to see their country--again--through your eyes. It's magical--I'm still friends with the Israelis from my trip to this day.

Hanna Holman (Bus 280)

Where are you from? Mequon, WI

Where do you currently live? River North, Chicago

What do you do for a living? Event Planner at the Jewish United Fund

What is your favorite place in Israel? The Shuk--I love all the colors, smells, and different food.

What is your favorite Israeli (Mediterranean) or Jewish food? CUCUMBERS!!!!

What is your best advice to future participants? Embrace everything with energy and excitement! Also, wear layers!

Jeremy Levin (Bus 280)

Where are you from? Highland Park, IL  

Where do you currently live? Lakeview

What do you do for a living? Customer Success Manager, G2 

What is your favorite place in Israel? Montefiore Windmill just outside of the Old City.

What is your favorite Israeli (Mediterranean) or Jewish food? Anything out of the kitchen at Azura in Machane Yehuda!

What is a fun fact about yourself? I accidentally ran with the bulls during San Fermin festival in Spain.

What is your best advice to future participants? 1) Pack light, 2) come ready to disconnect and connect, and 3) bring electrolyte tablets (i.e. Nuun, great for a quick mid-hike pick me up when you're dehydrated).

Tatum Drazen (Bus 286)

Where are you from? Orlando, FL

Where do you currently live? Wicker Park, Chicago

What do you do for a living? Assistant Director of YLD at JUF!

What is your favorite place in Israel? I love it all, but if I have to pick… Tel-Aviv.

What is your favorite Israeli (Mediterranean) or Jewish food? Falafel

What is a fun fact about yourself? This will be my 5th time in Israel!

What is your best advice to future participants? Don’t take the educational element of Birthright for granted. There’s so much to learn and you never know when you’ll be back. The history of Israel/Palestine is the oldest our civilization dates back -- pretty cool when you think about it!

Josh Bay (Bus 290)

Where are you from? I'm originally from Rockville, Maryland.

Where do you currently live? I now call Chicago home (at least most of the time!).

What do you do for a living? I actually just finished a Jewish urban farming fellowship in Berkeley, CA and will be looking to continue farming after returning from Israel.

What is your favorite place in Israel? My grandmother's kibbutz, kibbutz Barkai

What is your favorite Israeli (Mediterranean) or Jewish food? Definitely shakshuka. I also love making it!

What is a fun fact about yourself? I just recently visited my 46th US state - only Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Alaska to go! 

What is your best advice to future participants? If writing is your thing, bring a journal! Your future self will sincerely thank you for capturing your experience on paper. 

Genna Kahn (Bus 290)

Where are you from? Deerfield, IL

Where do you currently live? River North in Chicago

What do you do for a living? I work for the Jewish United Fund as the Program Director of Teen Volunteering and Engagement!  I get to plan all the teen volunteer opportunities!

What is your favorite place in Israel? Very hard to pick just one place, but I love a good beach day in Tel Aviv

What is your favorite Israeli (Mediterranean) or Jewish food? Shawarma with all the fixings or matzah ball soup, yum!

What is a fun fact about yourself? I have a twin sister! 

What is your best advice to future participants? Let go of expectations and enjoy the big moments and the small ones!