In this picture, I am standing outside a mosque in an Israeli Arab village. I learned a lot on this trip. We met with a lady named Yasmin, who taught us all about the lifestyle of the people in the town.

This was taken on Masada where I learned about how King Herod built a palace on Masada as a hideaway, but it was taken over by Zealots during rebellion under Roman rule. They had a mikveh and storage houses for food. They still had hope!

This is Emily and I wrapping ourselves in an Israeli flag. This photo was taken at the top of Masada. Masada is the location of a harrowing story where the zealots committed mass suicide to avoid being enslaved by Romans. For me this photo represents being able to be freely Jewish in the state of Israel. I don’t need to take drastic measure to preserve my Judaism.

These are my favourite parts of Israel so far. Jerusalem was such an amazing place filled with so much history. It had such an interesting architecture style. Mt Gilboa was also very fun as I got to see so much of Israel while hiking. It was an amazing sight. Meeting all my friends from other programs in Israel was so fun as we got to meet up and talk as I don’t see them very often.

The Gilboa hike was really magical. When we started to walk I found it all right it was quite muddy which is really lovely but my shoes kept getting really heavy so I was finding it a little tough.

This tiyul was beyond amazing. I felt so part of history and learning while I was sitting where this history happened was very eye opening. This time period is early Canaanite period and related to Abram.

Today, January 30th, 2019, we visited Tel Gezer. This tiyul was about the path that Abram took from Haran to Israel in the biblical time period. on this tiyul, we learned about the culture of the Canaanites and the Israelites that have lived in this area.

This is on 1/28/19 at Hod Hasharon (first day photo-journal) We flew from JFK into Ben Gurion Airport and then took a bus to Hod Hasharon. This is the sign to get into the amhsi, there is no lesson today this is just the first impression picture. We did not study anything for this tiyul but it was fun to arrive at the campus and begin our 4 months.

I am so excited to be here in Israel. My first impressions are that this is a very well organized program that offers us an incredible opportunity to live in Israel for four months.

Today is my first day on campus. It is January 29th, 2019 and after a year of waiting I am finally in Hod Hasharon. This photo was taken right outside of the Friedman dormitory building as I was walking to my first class.

The music room - music has always connected people around the world. Finding a group of completely random people in a country 12000 kilometres away from home and being able to connect over a series of notes and a couple of words made me feel at home, and make some new friends along the way.

After an early wake up and a strenuous hike (full of pain) finally getting to the top of Masada and wearing the Australian flag. The first time on the trip I felt proud of who I was, my ancestors and my identity.

And as I walked away from the ledge that changed my perspective, with the rocks crunching under my feet I thought of Israel as not only as a tourist land but my land. I’d heard all the time, that is Israel is my home, but only now is that idea only just seeping through, making sense, bringing joy and fascination into my mind.

This picture was taken in an underground playground in Sderot. Rockets are frequently shot at Sderot from Gaza, so this playground was made so that the kids could run to a shelter in 15 seconds.

This was taken at Ben Gurion’s grave in the Negev. I learned all about the other side of Ben Gurion; how he wasn't just a political leader, but role model for settling the Negev. He believed that the Negev was Israel’s greatest opportunity. He settled in a kibbutz and farmed with the rest of his community. And he chose to be buried in the Negev to draw people to his home.

This is me at the JNF park. It is in Sederot. This is important because there are many bombs from Gaza yet they have to keep the children safe as much as possible.

As I sit in front of my half-full suitcase, trying to pack my thoughts all into one 50 pound blob, I feel that it will never zip. I am left speechless every time someone asks “are you ready?” or “are you scared?”. There’s simply no words I can say that could fully express the mess of emotions flooding my brain just 6 days before I leave for the experience of a lifetime. So instead, I’ll do my best to explain just how these emotions routinely arrive.

The Gilboa hike was really magical. When we started to walk I found it all right it was quite muddy which is really lovely but my shoes kept getting really heavy so I was finding it a little tough.

In Israel, I hope to learn about my Jewish history through the Jewish History class I will be taking. I would also like to learn more about the land of Israel and the different cultures that coexist. I am hoping to meet great students and teachers. I am looking forward to the different field trips, especially hiking, and being able to escape the snow in Upstate New York!

When all is said and done, when I’m off the plane and back in my American bedroom, when in five years I look back on the experience of a lifetime, I want to remember. I want to remember how I felt in every moment of the journey I am about to take.