Four months ago, I submitted my first blog. At that time, I had no idea what was in store for me over the upcoming semester. Being the first blog, I was a little nervous about whether or not it would he good enough to be posted on Muss’ website and whether or not my friends and family would like it. The second blog was similar in that it took me a very long time and I was a little self conscious about it. But as I completed more and more they became more fluid. I think that this was similar to my time her in Israel. It was very uncomfortable being around all new faces and not knowing anyone more than a short conversation with them. Even after a month I was not super comfortable with many people. But as I grew closer to people and built stronger relationships, the program started speeding up big time.

Before I left, one of the fellowship activities was to set some goals for myself regarding the upcoming semester. The three goals I had set myself for were to make close friends and to get to know everyone in my class, learn some basic Hebrew, and learn about myself as a Jewish individual. First things first, I have made more closer friends her than I have at home in Tacoma. Of course I have my best friends at home, but I have never become so close with so many people in such a short amount of time.

My second goal was to learn some Hebrew, and although I tried really hard, I think that language isn’t for me. I learned how to order a sandwich, for example, but in retrospect I did not learn as much as I would have hoped. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, I have really connected with my Jewish identity and learned about what it means to be Jewish. At first I hadn’t thought much of what it was like to be around, for the most part, only Jews everywhere I went. But I soon realized how incredible it was that 40 Jewish kids my age all went to school with all Jewish teachers in the most Jewish country in the world. I have never experienced this before and it was really cool to have so many other people in common. Additionally, with all the Jewish studies and travels throughout the country I got a much better sense of what it means to be Jewish and what it’s like to live in this part of the world. In the end, this program has been a huge transition and a life changing event. I hope to someday reunite with the memories I have enjoyed in Israel.