Happy Yom Ha’atzmaut!

Chag Sameach!

(“Wishing you a Happy Holiday!”) 

This year, we celebrate Israel’s 61st birthday!

Yom Ha’atzmaut (יום העצמאות‎) is the national independence day of Israel, commemorating the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar, 5708), and the end of the British Mandate of Palestine.  The holiday is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, the Israel fallen soldiers Remembrance Day.

 Leetal, her friend Jackie, Amanda (a co-worker at Oranim and myself) enthusiastically celebrated in the streets on our way to a bbq.  Things got crazy when Leetal and Jackie joined a bunch of dancing rabbis amongst a huge crowd of people on Tel Aviv’s beach promenade… I don’t think the video truly captures just how hilarious this was…

Yom Ha’zikaron: A Day of Remembrance

Today is Yom Ha’zikaron (Memorial Day for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism), an Israeli national holiday.  To remember all of Israel’s fallen soldiers, everyone will stop what they’re doing and stand still for two minutes as sirens go off throughout the whole country.  It’s amazing to be in Israel at this time… 

On my birthright trip we visited the grave of Michael Levin… a young jew, from Pennsylvania, and a soldier in the Paratroopers (in the Israeli Defense Force) in operations in Baalbek, Lebanon who was killed in the line of duty on August 1, 2006.  An American-born Oleh (immigrant) to Israel, who knew from a young age (16) that he wanted to serve in the IDF. 

This brave young man gave the greatest full measure of sacrifice for the nation and people he loved.

In Loving Memory of Michael Levin 

The ‘Ideal’ World: Tel Aviv

This is the true story… of nine strangers… picked to live together in Tel Aviv… as they pursue their own professional aspirations… learn Hebrew… and live life to the fullest… to find out what happens… when people escape their “real” lives… and come to Israel… The Ideal World– TEL AVIV!

CAST BIOS:

Lindsay, 24, Orange County, CA: The incredibly sweet and talented theatre chick from Cali (whom I love  and adore) and comes with a side of “bad ass” (of which I especially love and adore).

Leetal, 25, San Diego, CA: The  veggie-loving, petite and bossomy Israili/South African/Moroccan fire cracker who is an incredible  photographer and my partner-in-crime at Oranim.

Erica, 22, Sacramento, CA: The sorority chick and youngest of the group that I admire immensely for her  quick wit and her ability to “play the game” like a champ when it comes to men. Definitely more than meets  the eye and an incredible friend.

Eve, 26, Miami, FL: My Hebrew-speaking, phone-loving roommate who is the eldest of the group and an  incredibly thoughtful and caring person whom surprises me with treats she knows I’ll like.

Guy, 25, Toronto, CAN: The “game player” whose confidence in himself (especially in his ability to pick up  women and succeed) is most impressive and inspiring. My own personal life coach and confident for which  I could never live without.

Gabe, 24, New York City, NY: The social liason of our group (a title he does not like) who loves the  restaurant business and cooks a mean chicken breast. All the single ladies… a great catch for those of you  Jewish, brunette, girl-next-door types.

Mike, 25, Manhattan Beach, CA: The L.A. beach bum who disappears daily to do his own thing and loves a     good “That’s What She Said” joke. A lover of languages and a BBM-aholic.

Brett, 25, Washington D.C.: The kind (and quiet) soul of the group who can pound a mixed drink faster  than I can say anything in Hebrew and whose generosity and go-with-the flow attitude is much appreciated  in a group filled with crazies.

Leah (Myself), 24, St. Louis, MO: The “token blonde” as Lindsay says. I’ll let you discover the rest…

STAY TUNED AS THE SEASON OF THE ‘IDEAL’ WORLD CONTINUES…

An Unexpected Turn of Events: My Decision to Move to Israel

Life certainly has its twists and turns. It seems surreal to me to be back in Israel for the second time three months after my first trip. To say the least, I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself since I returned from my birthright trip in December (Xmas Day ’08 to be exact). Having never really traveled outside the U.S. (apart from two spring break trips to Mexico and an afternoon in Belize on a cruise once), I realized that I’m much more adventurous and ambitious than I once thought.

I always knew I wanted to take advantage of the birthright opportunity, but it definitely took a year or two and persistent nagging from my mom before I finally applied. Although I was really looking forward to going on birthright, I had no idea the profound effect my time in Israel would have on me and how it would literally turn my world upside down. I can’t tell you how many times I had heard from and about people that went on birthright, had a life-changing experience, and, not to mention, had a ton of fun. For some reason I was convinced that it would NOT be the same for me. I thought I, of all people, would of course, be the exception. I was always that girl who was homesick at sleep away camp begging my mom to let me come home, the girl that backed out of other abroad opportunities during college (my mom lost quite a few deposits which she reminds me of frequently) and was so sure that I wanted to live in St. Louis permanently. Boy, was I surprised.

When I returned home from Israel, all I wanted to do was go back. I craved the excitement that I felt I had been lacking for so long and the new experiences and knowledge I gained each day about the country, the people and, mostly, about myself. To say the least, my life in St. Louis did not go back to the way it was pre-birthright and my desire to return to Israel didn’t waiver. To put it simply, within weeks I made a lot of very big decisions that would dramatically alter the course of my life.

Let me just ask… WHO in their right mind quits their job in the midst of the worst recession of our time… breaks up with their boyfriend of two months after finally getting together… gives up their spacious one-bedroom apartment… and signs up for a five month internship program in Tel Aviv, Israel?

I still don’t know why things happened the way they did, but I’m happy that the decisions I’ve been made have led me to where I am today. I guess I was just looking for something else… something more.  What I do know is that with such an incredible opportunity at my fingertips and my whole life ahead of me, I couldn’t think of a better time for such an adventure.