For this blog post I was asked to explain a Tiyul that was meaningful and special for me. I have decided that this Tiyul was Yam le Yam or Sea to Sea. This Tiyul was by far the most, fun, memorable, and intense one that we have had so far.

One of the most meaningful tiyulim I’ve been on was the first time that we went to Jerusalem, on September 4th and 5th. It was my first time ever seeing Jerusalem in person, and my first view of the city from afar took my breath away.

Before leaving for the Poland trip, my mom texted me and asked if I was excited. I replied with “not really. I get it’s going to be a good experience, but it’s a cold, and dark, and sad trip.” I expected a week full of tears and sorrow and sadness. I was totally wrong.

Before this trip, I never expected that I would go to Poland and see the horrors I saw. I always thought that my knowledge of the Shoah was enough, and that I could go through my life knowing these horrible experiences but never going too in-depth with them.

A trip to Poland is an extremely special opportunity for most American Jews. None of my family or friends have had the amazing opportunity to travel to Poland. Before I even left for Poland I felt that I had a responsibility going to such a meaningful country.

The thought of traveling to another country without your parents is crazy enough, but going to another country during that time is psychotic. Poland taught me so many more things than what I thought I knew.

Over the past four months, I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot. This entire experience has completely changed me as a person, and I hope to bring everything I’ve learned back to my friends and family back in America.

If you asked me where I would be in 3 ½ months on August 25, I probably would have said something SO different than where I am now. HSI has changed me so drastically, and I’m forever grateful.

Coming on such an impactful trip like Muss, it is easy to think of so many things that I want to bring back home with me. I feel that I have changed so much and have become a lot more mature and definitely responsible. I have had the time of my life for these past three months in Israel. When I go back home I really want to share my experiences and make an impact on my community by spreading the “Muss Magic”.

“I have no clue what the next 18 weeks hold for me, but I’m ready for the adventure… It’s wild to think that the next time I’ll be writing a blog, it will be from my dorm in Hod Hasharon.” These were the concluding sentences from my very first blog the week before I left the States. When I read these sentences, it’s a bittersweet feeling. I’m so grateful for this trip and amazing experience. I will always have this and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The bitter part is leaving my home here in Israel, my best friends, and my parents (my madrichim [counselors]).

Right now, I’m watching the sunset while writing this on the swings outside my dorm. Similar to the beautiful sunset ending the great day I had, the sun is setting on this amazing trip. It’s bittersweet, as I had the most amazing time, and I want to see my friends back home, but I also never want to leave this amazing country and the amazing people I’ve met here. Four months ago, I wrote down my goals as I started the journey that is now behind me. Looking at them now, I feel like I have achieved each one of them.

Looking back to my goals I have completed some of them and really haven’t completed the others, I have made a ton of more friends than when I came on the program which is what I had heard from previous people who have come on the trip.

The first blog that I wrote I went over three main goals that I had for this trip. I feel that I have had an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience while achieving all of these goals.

This is my first blog entry. I have never done a blog before and I feel that I don’t even know where to start. It has been about a month since I have done anything academic related and I am feeling a little rusty and frustrated. Before I know it, I will have my bags packed and be on a plane going to Tel’Aviv and will be meeting my AMHS classmates for the very first time. I am so excited for the adventure that awaits!

Before leaving for Alexander Muss, I’m currently feeling a lot of emotions. The main one being excitement! I’m really excited for this amazing opportunity I’m blessed with. Another emotion I feel is a little bit of fear. I say this because I’ve never done anything like this such as leave the U.S and my family for this long a time. I also have never written a real blog before so this is also something new to the experience.

Yes I am excited to leave the Puget Sound. I am excited to be going to Israel and to a new school. In one week I will be cramming my face will all the Israeli food I can get my hands on. I’m excited to leave the place that I currently live on the West Coast. I am not nervous to go. I’m also not sure what my expectations are of Alexander Muss High School. I am excited for what will happen. I am not a planner. I enjoy life as it comes.

This next week, I will be leaving my family and friends to travel to Hod Hasharon, Israel. I cannot believe it almost time to leave! I have come to the conclusion that this type of journey is an experience that you mentally do not know how to prepare for.

My goals are too increase independence, adaptability and flexibility. As well as to understand cultural and geographic differences and reflect on personal values. To be independent I need to be able to rely on just myself and if I face a problem find a way to solve it myself.