Following Yam L’Yam last week, we began with a well-deserved Shabbat in Beit Shemesh, joining our madrich, Nitzan’s, community. Each of us stayed with different Orthodox families and got to experience a full, authentic Shabbat. Personally, my experience was kind of surreal. At Friday night services at the local synagogue, I met an 18-year-old soldier who, like me, was from Seattle and knew a lot of the same people I know. It made me realize just how close-knit the Jewish world really is.

On Saturday, we spent the day with Nitzan, his family, and friends. We went to the park and had a very chill and relaxing day in his neighborhood. After Shabbat, we returned to campus and resumed our Israeli Studies course along with our general studies classes. On Monday, we had a very impactful visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial. Although it was a heavy and emotional experience, I felt it was an essential one. At the end of our visit, we met with a Holocaust survivor who shared her incredible story. She had to live with many different families, and even had to pretend to be a boy to hide from the Nazis. Her story gave me a new and deeper understanding of the Holocaust and its human impact.

On Wednesday, we headed south to the Negev. Our first stop was an Ethiopian Jewish cultural center, Beta Israel, where we listened to a powerful personal story about immigrating to Israel. We also took part in meaningful Ethiopian Jewish traditions like roasting coffee and eating traditional bread. It was unlike anything I had experienced before and gave me a broader understanding of Jewish diversity.

Before heading back to campus, we visited the grave of David Ben-Gurion. What stood out most to me was the inscription on his grave — it only listed his birthdate and the date he made Aliyah. I think that says a lot: despite all his achievements, the act of making Aliyah was what he wanted to highlight. It reminded me that making Aliyah is something powerful that any Jewish person can choose.

We wrapped up the day by sitting together and sharing our dreams about life in Israel. It was a meaningful and bonding moment, hearing each other’s visions.

To finish off an incredible week, we spent Thursday in Tel Aviv, exploring the roots of this vibrant city, shopping at the Carmel Shuk, and more.

Charlie Friedman is a 10th-grade student at Mercer Island High School.