Janelle is Israel, Summer 2011
Part of the goal in creating my “Life To Do List,” was to manifest certain dreams into achievable, tangible existence. There are lofty goals included on the list, some of them requiring great funds, great bravery, and great luck. Crossing off #70 from the list (Revisit Israel) was purely the latter option.
Being Jewish is something that I’m openly proud of. I am active in the Jewish community of Los Angeles, and am even a featured writer for “Oy Gay,” a blog in the Jewish Journal in which I speak about the cross section of my identities. One of the greatest hopes that many a Jew can have is a chance to visit the land of Israel.
Janelle & Friends in Israel, Summer 1999
I visited Israel when I was 14 years old with a group of 118 of my peers from the San Francisco Bay Area. We spent six weeks gallivanting about the country (which is the same size as the state of New Jersey). I snorkeled in the Red Sea, floated in the Dead Sea, spent a week training with the Israeli Army, and made memories that have stayed with me for over a decade.
Longing to return to the country that has changed so much in the 12 years since I was last there, I never dreamed I’d get to travel for free when I added this item to my Life To Do List almost three years ago. You can imagine my surprise and gratitude when I was asked to bring 40 young Jews to Israel with me on a Birthright trip. This amazing organization sends Jews to Israel in order to inspire and connect them to their heritage. Did I mention everyone travels for free? My passion for Judaism and inclusion could not have made me a more willing staff member.
I can’t explain the joy that I felt during the 10 days that I traveled in Israel this month. I can’t explain how all of the pieces seemed to come together to make an unimaginably supportive environment: open minded travelers, passionate guides, giving soldiers, and devoted staff. We got the whole kitten caboodle on our trip and the beauty of the country was the icing on the cake.
I will be writing multiple posts about Israel in the coming weeks, but for now, feast your eyes on the best of the best in photography from my recent trip. And thank you so much to Birthright for asking me to be a part of something so amazing.
If you are a Jew between the ages of 18-26 and want to visit Israel for free, visit Birthright and register for the trip at:
http://www.birthrightisrael.com
No related posts.
