Memories race into my head as I write my final blog post of the session. What an amazing 6 weeks I’ve had here at Alexander Muss. As I prepare for my home-coming and getting bombarded with questions about my trip, I reflect. I reflect about the good times, the bad times, and the people I’ve met. I know I will leave HSI thankful and optimistic. Thankful for having this opportunity, and optimistic for what I will achieve with the knowledge I’ve gained here. My expectations were met to the fullest extent.

Sitting in the gazebo on our last Shabbat,  I flip through my extremely filled notebook. I call it “Rachel’s Book Of Knowledge”. Although, I can’t take credit for what goes inside my notebook. I have Elhanan Brown to thank for that. The person who gave me hope for the Jewish future, and the facts to back up my argument. The teacher who pushed me beyond my level of learning. The friend who was always their to encourage me to finish the 2 hour hike we had ahead of us.

I can board the 11 hour flight (no I’m not excited for this) I have ahead of me, knowing I’m going back to the states with so much more than I came with. I’m not talking about the many touristy shirts I bought. I’m talking about the real-life challenges I faced that taught me about adversity. The lessons I learned that will show me right from wrong in the near future. Knowledge about my people, a subject I’m now fully invested in.

Of Course, there are moments I’ve had these past 6 weeks have not been given the credit they deserve. Like, the 2 hour bus ride we had coming back to campus, singing High School Musical the whole way back. Heated discussions about how to solve terrorism. Looking up at the western wall feeling like nothing else mattered in the world at that very moment. The most underrated thing about my trip here was the simplicity of the program. I know it sounds silly, but it really is true. The moments I looked around and realized how well thought out this program was. The way it brings you closer to the people, and the curriculum. It’s almost automatic how easily I got used to the way things work around here.

I hate to get deep but, here at Muss I  learned to worry about myself and use my Judaism to detach from the world’s negativity. I understand now it’s not about just waiting for a perfect world but being able to embrace the not so perfect parts, looking forward to the little things this world has to offer vs materialistic objects. Realizing I’m still so young and have so much to absorb but found a part of myself this summer and exactly the type of person I want to be. Muss showed me worrying about my judaism and doing good in the real world is so much more gratifying. So, thank you Muss. Thank you infinitely.