We have finally made it to Israel. Wow, what an experience. In all honesty, preparing for the trip was exhausting and the goodbyes were difficult, but to have at last arrived in Israel is ever so relieving. However, now that I have begun to settle in and get used to the rigorous schedule of AMHSI, it is important that I set goals to ensure I set myself up for the greatest amount of success possible and take advantage of the amazing opportunity I have been presented.

My first and primary goal is to is to maintain straight A’s in all of my classes. As I mentioned in my previous blog, academics are very important to me and I want to set myself up for success when I return to my school in Miami in January. It is also important to me that I am able to keep in shape while I am here in Israel by running, using the gym here at AMHSI, and eating healthy. In January, I will begin my club volleyball season almost immediately upon my return, and it is essential that I stay in appropriate physical condition for an easy transition. However while I am in Israel, it is imperative to me that I relish my time here and use it to expand my horizons both culturally and in terms of knowledge. Not only does AMHSI provide general studies classes to match our schedules back home and exceptional Israeli studies classes that can be replaced by no other, but they allow us to use the land as our classroom. Last Wednesday’s tiyul was a striking sight and experience, known by the name of Tel Gezer. Inhabitation of Tel Gezer began in the second millennium BCE with the Canaanites, and civilizations continued to layer atop each other over time and were finally discovered by archaeologists in the early 20th century. On our tiyul, we discussed and admired some of the civilizations and structures used by the various settlers of Tel Gezer, particularly Canaanites. We also delved into the religious significance of Tel Gezer, and how (according to legend) it contributed to the emergence of Judaism by questioning the norm of religion and ritual of the time. When we spoke about this, I felt a connection to Judaism I had not yet felt before. Doni, my Israeli studies professor, told us a story that he believed happened at Tel Gezer regarding Abram’s instinct to question the system in place when he saw religious traditions of the Canaanites, such as the virginities of young girls being given as prizes and the sacrificing of babies, that led him to believe there was a better method to express one’s religious beliefs. This questioning of and seeking to better systems in place is something I am able to relate with, and it pleases me to know that it has been a commonality among my people since they emerged. I am also quite the history nerd, so seeing the pages of the Tanakh and the unit book come alive was an incredible experience that I cannot wait to have again during upcoming tiyulim. I am so excited to see what the rest of this trip has in store for me, and I hope I can meet all of my goals while still having a great time in this beautiful country.