It's the People I'll Miss the Most- Hannah Toppel

I don't even know how to write this blog post because I still haven't even wrapped my head that I am leaving.

Where did the time go?

September to December seems shorter than the eleven-hour plane ride to get here. I still remember the nerve-wracking trip to the airport, the people I talked to, the entire plane ride up until the time I arrived in Hod HaSharon like it was this morning. The people I have met on this trip have made the biggest impact on me. The people are what I will miss the most. Making the bus rides amazing whether that's sleeping on someone's lap or playing music and singing a lot, exploring on tiyuls, study sessions, fun dinners, late-night bathroom convos, or just walking to class with someone. Seeing everyone and just saying good morning, or asking people how their day is, interacting with the same people each day but still continuing to get to know them, getting closer with different people and even closer with the same, experiencing something really special, seeing the most gorgeous of sights, or going to the beach in the middle of the school day, is truly what I will miss the most.

The fact that I have to say goodbye so soon is truly unbearable. These experiences will last a lifetime, and I know that I will keep in touch and have these bonds with these people forever. I am going to miss not having to go to school every day, breakups in your schedule, long bus rides, sleeping with so many people in your room. I am going to miss the connections I have with my teachers, the different relationships we have with them, and the tiny tiny class sizes. I will miss overnighters, walking in the street, store owners, and random people saying Shabbat shalom to me on Sabbath, being surrounded by a Jewish community, and always having someone to talk to no matter what. I am so grateful for this program and all of the opportunities it has given me,  and I will never forget any of it.

I don't even know how to write this blog post because I still haven't even wrapped my head that I am leaving.

Where did the time go?

September to December seems shorter than the eleven-hour plane ride to get here. I still remember the nerve-wracking trip to the airport, the people I talked to, the entire plane ride up until the time I arrived in Hod HaSharon like it was this morning. The people I have met on this trip have made the biggest impact on me. The people are what I will miss the most. Making the bus rides amazing whether that's sleeping on someone's lap or playing music and singing a lot, exploring on tiyuls, study sessions, fun dinners, late-night bathroom convos, or just walking to class with someone. Seeing everyone and just saying good morning, or asking people how their day is, interacting with the same people each day but still continuing to get to know them, getting closer with different people and even closer with the same, experiencing something really special, seeing the most gorgeous of sights, or going to the beach in the middle of the school day, is truly what I will miss the most.

The fact that I have to say goodbye so soon is truly unbearable. These experiences will last a lifetime, and I know that I will keep in touch and have these bonds with these people forever. I am going to miss not having to go to school every day, breakups in your schedule, long bus rides, sleeping with so many people in your room. I am going to miss the connections I have with my teachers, the different relationships we have with them, and the tiny tiny class sizes. I will miss overnighters, walking in the street, store owners, and random people saying Shabbat shalom to me on Sabbath, being surrounded by a Jewish community, and always having someone to talk to no matter what. I am so grateful for this program and all of the opportunities it has given me,  and I will never forget any of it.

Hannah Toppel

December 10, 2021