Throughout the four months I have spent at Alexander Muss High School in Israel, I have learned many new lessons and traditions. These I definitely want to take home. Even share with not only my community but my friends and family.

As the program starts to come to an end, we reminisce over all the traveling and learning we’ve done. One of the things I want to bring back home is being able to openly talk about our Judaism, like how we were able to talk about it here. Coming from my home place where not many of my friends and classmates are Jewish, we rarely come across the topic. After coming home from this trip I want to listen to other people’s views and thoughts and be able to have an input. Mostly make people comfortable with the topic.

Something else I want to bring home is Shabbat. Even though I’m not very religious, coming on this program has given me a connection I have never felt and being able to keep that growth and connection is through a Shabbat, which my whole family and friends can participate in. Back at home I never keep Shabbat and I definitely would want to start.

Most importantly what I want to bring back is a whole new outlook on life. Coming on this program has made me grow as a person and learn how to appreciate our surroundings wherever we are, and the people you are with. I am now able to appreciate new cultures I’m completely unfamiliar with and adapt. For example going to services and being surrounded with people like you doesn’t only provide a connection with your beliefs but can also be fun with your friends.

Through my time in Israel I picked up on many new things that I will always keep with me and carry on to through my whole life. Now I am able to come home and share it with everyone. Hopefully I can be a change for the good in the community which I live in by taking what I have picked up and grasped from this once in a lifetime journey.