What did I do? I followed through on my plan to get accepted to a program of study in Israel. Assuming I figure out the logistics and finances, I will be spending 11 months living and studying in Jerusalem at the Conservative Yeshiva. This dream of mine is actually going to come true. I've been longing for this experience since I watched my peers go on EIE in high school. In college, I went on Birthright and had my first taste of Israel. I knew that I loved Israel before I even got there which was great because my trip wasn't exactly the most positive Jewish experience I had (I got put on a URJ Camp Harlam trip so everyone knew everyone else, and I got heat stroke and my body did not react well to Israeli food which left me throwing up for much of my trip.)
Despite that not so positive introduction to Israel I still have a burning desire to experience all that Israel has to offer. I want to learn Hebrew, grapple with Jewish texts, hike and swim all over the country, eat delicious Israeli food...this list could go on and on. It may seem as if I am always exploring my Jewish identity, but I believe that a long-term experience in Israel is something that is crucial to my development as a Jew. I also haven't had the chance to really live as an independent observant Jewish adult. The communities I have spent time with since becoming observant were set up in a way that everything was provided for me- I went to Hillel in college, I worked at camp over the summer, and now I work in a Jewish communal environment. I want to know what it's like to really have to create Shabbat with my peers. I want to have people over for Shabbat. I want to try a new minyan every week. I want to find an engaged community where I can just be myself and not have to worry about always creating an experience for others.
I am so excited about this opportunity in Israel. I'm also completely terrified.
To financially support me, go here: http://funds.gofundme.com/185i4
