relrelgoestoisrael

[relrelgoestoisrael]

A life changing chapter comes to a close...

The month of June was my last month in Israel. It was the 10th month that I had been living in Israel and making my last few ways through adventures.

June was a pretty chill and care free month. The other months were full of trips and school and other things to be responsible for, for example an amazing English Day my teaching partner and other fellows and I put on for our kids at school.

Tel Aviv Pride 2015 kicked off the second weekend (June 12) and it was definitely a highlight of my year in Israel.  It warmed my heart to see so many people there celebrating and seeing so much support for the Israeli LGBT community. I enjoyed the day marching in the parade with some friends and having an overall blast with my family.

The following days were filled with beach days and falafel. My friend Jen’s parents came to Israel and enjoyed two weeks as Netanyans and we went rafting on the Jordan River. I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard at so many schenanigans and just had a relaxing great time.

I had a few friends from other cities that came to visit the famous Netanya beach and enjoy the sunsets. They loved it and finally saw what all the fuss was about when we would say that Netanya was the best city.

June 17th -The Netanya group had a end of the year party at a pool at a local country club in the city (which is nothing like a country club in the states…) We enjoyed some Falafel Moosa, which we had to put together ourselves so it was fun to feel like Shmulik when he would make my pita of falafel at full speed. We had a small ceremony to give out superlatives and presents for everyone and even a cute slide show our coordinator, Raoul, put together for us. We finally made it into the pool and of course…there was a waterslide! There was great anticipation for the water slide and I was so excited about going fast. But it didn’t end that well for me, I stubbed my toe when I tried to get some momentum and I ended up breaking my toe pretty bad, but that didn’t stop me from having a great time. Of course, it did turn a few different colors over those next few days. It still acts up a little bit even now, but it helps me remember those amazing memories.

June 18th- My teaching partner Dan and I held a small going away party for each class that we taught and the kids showed bittersweet smiles as we celebrated the time we had together. We took pictures and I made a book for all of them to sign so I could remember my students. They wrote very kind words and even included their contact information so that we could stay in touch. If I had a dollar for every time they asked me if I had instagram…hahah. The kids asked if we would be back next year, and the heart break on their face when we said we wouldn’t be really showed how much we impacted those kids. They began telling about their favorite parts of our class and we celebrated a great year together. I really miss walking into that school and being greeted by all the students. They showed so much excitement about me showing up to school because they knew that they would get to learn with me. I really miss all their excitement and positive attitudes toward learning.

After the last day of school, we had a little over a week to do whatever we wanted before the end of the program and we all headed home. I spent most of my time soaking up the sun and enjoying my last few beach days and sunsets. I passed some time with friends in Tel Aviv and even worked in a few more travel days to explore the country as much as I could. I took advantage of the time I had left in this amazing country that I had called home for those past ten months.

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This post is a little late, but I think it was needed. I’ve been living back at home for about a month now and I have definitely seen how Israel has changed me [for the better]. I have learned so much and I feel like I have been shaped by this experience to being the person I want to be.

At the beginning of the year our coordinator Raoul sat us down and asked us what we wanted from this year. I rolled my eyes and wiped the sweat from my forehead wondering when we were going to finish the discussion and go find some air conditioning. At that moment, I didn’t know what I wanted from the year. I wasn’t sure what I was or where I stood before I was even there. So I thought about it, and I went for the original “I want to be happy.” I didn’t think that I would be anything more than that, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Raoul gave us a piece of paper and a pen and said “visualize yourself 10 months from now, what do you see? What do you want to know? What would you ask yourself?” We had out last program together as a group at a community pool and Raoul handed back our letters that we wrote for ourselves, and I can’t believe that I’ve changed so much since then. I’ll share with you the letter I wrote to myself the third day I got to Israel….10 months later…it changed me for the better.     “Hi,             Do you remember when you first started here and your anxieties and fears were more than you wanted? You cut your hair and let everything else go with it. You put yourself out there and made 24+ new friends that let you in to the circle. What are you worried about now? You wanted to grow from this and learn about yourself….have you? Did you find out whatever it is that makes you tick? Did you laugh? Did you cry? 

               You are really amazing. I can’t tell you how much I am proud of you and how you really have gotten through so much and proved so many people wrong. You amaze everyone, especially me. I hope that you found what it was you wanted after this year. You are the most important person to me and I can’t think of what would happen if you were gone. You have so many more things going for you and even though you are leaving Israel and this experience, you are never leaving the adventure and the memories and love will never leave you.                Remember to be thankful every day. Remember to love and live everyday like it’s your last. Remember that it is easier to smile and laugh than it is to be upset and angry. Try a new thing every day and do more things for yourself. Continue to learn and grow and think about yourself and that self confidence that has finally found you. You deserve more than you can give to other people. Remember that you are the one who matters most and most often. Reflect on yourself and keep things positive. After this amazing year in this amazing country, I hope you learned to love and do for yourself. Who knows if you will find another opportunity like this, so use it to be the best you that you can be and do the best that you can do.

                                               All my love,                                                                Ari.

 So what have I learned? What was I looking for?

Don’t let fear get in the way—so what if you break your big toe? It heals with time, wishing you did something that you didn’t because you’re too scared…life is too short to be a wuss.

Be yourself, it’s so much easier—don’t try to impress anyone on purpose. If you do you, they’ll be impressed enough. Genuine is something everyone can use a little of.

Everything Will Be Okay (Hakhol yee-he-ye beseder)—In Israel, there is a saying in Hebrew, and even if it feels like the world is ending….everything will be okay.

You are the most important person to keep happy.

Patience is hard, but when you find it, keep it. – things are really going to tick you off or push your buttons, but it is all in the reaction that it gets. Patience can have karma.

Let it go—frozen got it all figured out….just let it go.

In the end, you always have nothing to lose.

There are plenty of things I have learned and experienced that I cannot put into words. It was all things that needed to be experienced first hand, it wouldn’t be the same to try and explain it. Sure the pictures gave you some what of an idea, but it was definitely the best experience of my life.

And so that’s it… I’ve finished this chapter and it is on to the next. I will miss so many things and so many people. The connections and relationships I have made on this journey will forever be cherished in my heart along with the memories. I’ll miss the kids I taught and they’re eagerness to learn and participate every day. I’ll miss Falafel Moosa. I’ll miss Netanya Beach sunsets in my favorite spot, I’ll miss fresh fruits and veggies from the market, I’ll miss the free spirits and loud yelling everywhere, I’ll miss the loud Israelis, I’ll miss promenade street parties, I’ll miss impromptu Tel Aviv adventures. I’ll miss celebrating the holidays. I’ll miss The Wall. I’ll miss family porch potlucks. I’ll miss my new Netanya family. I’ll miss hearing Hebrew everywhere. I’ll miss long bus rides. I’ll miss Ronen’s good mornings. I’ll miss everything that made my smile. But most of all, I will miss my home. Here’s to next year in Jerusalem, and hopefully a lifetime of more memories.

Thanks for everything Israel, and thank you to those who were with me and by my side through the whole thing.

On to the next adventure….

[relrelgoestoisrael]

It’s Gonna Be May

May 5th- English Day May 7th- Lag Ba’Omer May 11th- MASA Culture event May 17th- Jerusalem Day May 21st – 24th- Shavuout (Weeks) Holiday Break May 31- Day trip to Harduf and Nazareth

May flew right on by. I blinked and boom…June. The first few days of May were spent preparing for English Day at school. Each school we teach at has an English Day for their students. My teaching partner Dan and I, with the help of some other fellows in the group, put on an interactive and engaging day for the kids at school. The theme of the day was “Children Around the World.” We had different stations that involved different tasks for the kids to engage in and learn from. Each station was a different country and they had to complete or participate in the activity related to that country. We had England with postcards, Japan with a chopstick challenge, Brazil with soccer, and The United States with trivia (duh..). The kids excitedly rotated to each activity ready to go with their own personal “Passport To Engish Day.” They really enjoyed the day and it was such a successful day of organized balagan (chaos). Through out the month, I attended a MASA culture event. At the event was a screening of the film Zero Motivation, a zany, dark comedic portrait of everyday life for a unit of young, female Israeli soldiers. At the end of the film screening, we had a question and answer session with one of the main characters in the movie. It was a great experience and I learned a lot her past experiences in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). May 17 was Jerusalem Day. We all went to Jerusalem to spend the day with the holy city on its own holiday. We took a tour of an orthodox Jewish neighborhood and learned about the people who lived in the community. In the afternoon, we walked to King  George street and everything was blocked off for a very large street party. People began filling the streets and music was blaring from stages lined up all down the street. Everyone danced and waved Israeli flags in celebration. The streets filled with families and teens all with faces painted in spirit and carrying flags. It was definitely obvious how much happiness and celebration filled the streets as everyone gathered to celebrate the day.There were two holidays this month, Lag Ba’Omer (May 7) and Shavuot (May 21). On Lag Ba’Omer, a well known custom is to light bonfires throughout Israel (and the world). I attended a bonfire with the group I volunteer with. We had a bonfire and made pita bread. It was great to experience how people celebrate another holiday with such fun traditions in Israel. Everyone really enjoyed it and having everyone participate made the atmosphere really great.  The second holiday was Shavuot, or Weeks. This holiday commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the Jewish people. The name, Weeks, signifies the seven week period between Passover and Shavuot.Over the Shavuot holiday break, I went camping at the Sea of Galilee (more like lake…). It was an enjoyable weekend, even though half of it was also spent dying from the heat. This past weekend we went up to Nazareth and toured some churches. We stopped in Harduf to meet some program friends and enjoyed a long day of adventure. We toured one of the largest churches in the middle east and visited sites such as the Virgin Mary’s house.

The month of May went by pretty quickly. Now June is here and it marks nine months in Israel. That is ridiculous to even try and understand, didn’t I just get here? June is going to be very bittersweet. I’m determined to make these last four weeks worth it and I’m excited for what else is still set to come my way. I’m excited for what is to come next and I’m loving the adventure. 

Here’s to making June the best month yet.

[relrelgoestoisrael]

Paddle boarders and last nights sunset #nofilter #Netanya #paddleboard #wavesfordays (at Netanya Beach )

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This never gets old, I'll miss it so much 🌅 Netanya Sunset #nofilter #beautifuldreamer (at My Favorite Spot )

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April 16th- Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day

April 22nd- Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day

April 23rd- Yom HaAtzmaoot, Israel Independence Day Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victim of terror, and Independence Day are three very emotional days here in Israel. We went to Yad Va’Shem, the Holocaust museum, and took a tour of the memorials and heard the stories of survivors and child survivors. On the way to the museum, our bus stopped long the side of the road for the two minute siren that could be heard all around the country. We stopped near a semi busy intersection and when the siren started, it was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Everyone got out of their cars and stood at attention to the siren. Two Minutes. Two Minutes to reflect and remember those we lost 70 years ago. It was the fastest two minutes I have ever experienced. After the siren, we made our way to the museum for tours and testimonials from those who experienced the horrific events.

On Yom HaZikaron, we took a two day trip to Jerusalem and saw some historical sites that tied back to the war and the capture of Jerusalem. We went to Ammunition Hill, a historical site of one of the fiercest battles of the Six-Day War. It is now a memorial site and main induction center for Israel Defense Force paratroopers. The site consists of tens of bunkers built along the three main trench systems surrounding the hill. The view of Jerusalem from this historical site was beautiful. A large Israeli flags stands proud at the top of the hill and is always waving.

The next day we went to Mt. Herzl, the main military cemetery which contains all the burials for fallen soldiers, late prime ministers, and some other public figures. Each soldier in the cemetery is buried by date of death in their respective brigade. That evening, we went to a MASA Memorial day event in Latrun. It was a big amphitheatre with more than 1500 participants gathered around to watch and remember together. The ceremony introduced six people who were soldiers in the Israeli Army or victims of terror in Israel. Their stories were each unique and filled with loved ones remembering their memory. There was another siren that held the entire country at a halt as we remembered. In Israel there are two sirens. One at the beginning of the Holocaust Remembrance Day and one at the end of the Memorial Day, to differentiate between the two days and why they are significant.

On Israel Independence Day, there is a different emotion: Happiness. After two days of sorrow and grief, the country makes a complete one eighty and begins celebrating the independence of Israel. This year Israel turns 67. Families and friends participate in BBQs, picnics, family trips. It is a day to be with loved ones and celebrate the freedom as a country. Some friends and I went to “The Puddle” in Netanya, to celebrate Independence Day. It was a large field with a stage and thousands of families and friends together to enjoy the experience. There were two DJs and two bands that provided entertainment, food booths, and even fireworks! It sure isn’t Independence Day without fireworks. However, I think Independence Day in Israel is much more fun and meaningful than in the states.

The country mourns and grieves together on the days that lead up to the happiness. They are understand the grief of losing a parent, child, or friend to the war but then come to terms that if it wasn’t for those brave souls, we would not have the country that we love stay strong. These three days on the Jewish calendar are very important to Israel. It is a way to see how a country unites as they mourn and stand strong together. I have never seen anything like the love I saw on Mount Herzl. At the gravesites of fallen or unknown soldiers, I saw strangers laying flowers on top of graves, strangers saying prayers, or even a quick passing touch. These people did not know those who were buried there, but they do know that without them and their sacrifice and bravery, we would not be where we are today. It is a respectful holiday and a way to pay their condolences for those who were lost.

It was an emotional three days in Israel filled with sadness, sorrow, friendship, happiness, and overall love. I am thankful to be in this country on these three most important days of the year. It is something I will never experience in the states, only in a country where unity is not something that is overlooked. I will forever remember these three days and how they are celebrated here in Israel. It is something I will not be able to forget. 

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This will never get old 🐪🐫 #camelcrossing ⚠️ (at welcome to the desert )

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This was my playground today: casual. #nofilter #desertplay #ITFNetanya (at Negev )

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Yom Hazikaron Memorial Day 2015: a day to remember fallen soldiers and victims of terror, the most emotional week in Israel #Yizkor #Remember #AmYisraelChai יום הזכרון (at Jerusalem, Israel)

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April 1- 14th Passover/Spring Break in London!

This trip to Israel has been full of firsts and those have experiences within themselves. This experience took me to a place I have always wanted to go, England! The beauty of this country took my breath away. I stayed with an old friend, Natasha, who I met working at summer camp about six years ago this May. It was great having my own tour guide and a place to stay. We hadn't seen each other for about two years so it was even better getting to spend some time and explore the city with her. It was an amazing adventure that I will never forget. I made a list of all the things I wanted to do, see, and eat during my time there and we checked off basically everything on that list. Here are some easy ones:

- Big Ben -Tower Bridge - London Eye - Westminster Abbey Along with soooo many other places. We visited Hever Castle and took a tour inside. It is an absolutely beautiful double moated castle once of the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The castle sits on 125 acres of glorious grounds and gardens. I had my first experience in a Yew Maze, and of course I got lost, but isn’t that half the fun?

We walked around the city SO much and enjoyed some of the London night life as well. It was an amazing experience that I can’t seem to really put into words. It has always been a dream of mine to go to England and experience everything. It was nothing like The Parent Trap when Lindsay Lohan “gets lost in Harrods” with her mom, but it was the same feeling of being somewhere new and trying to soak it all in. I was all smiles and you can tell in all my pictures I was really happy to be there. It made me really excited going there and starting to cross things off of my life bucket list. It was cool getting started on it and I have so many more things I want to do. Being in another country was another experience in itself; it is basically like a new start, new currency, and new road rules. They drive on the correct side of the street instead of the right side…(see what I did there)  But I did almost get hit by a double decker bus and a black cab…twice…it even says LOOK RIGHT à with an arrow on the ground…but I guess old habits. The double decker buses are modernized, of course, welcome to 2015, but they do have some old school ones that really make the city have that old fashioned feel to it. Everyone was super friendly and very polite, a huge difference from the impatient and pushy country I came from. The weather was even beautiful and held up for the two weeks I was there. I saw one or two days of typical English weather with clouds and rain, but for the rest of the time, it was perfect. At camp, Tasha and I experienced a Beatle Session. It was an activity that brought up the conspiracy of Paul McCartney’s death and how the band covered it up. If you don’t know, there was a conspiracy theory that Paul died in a car accident and clues to McCartney’s supposed death could be found among the lyrics and artwork of the band’s recordings. My favorite album and cover art from the Beatles is Abbey Road and going to the exact zebra crossing where that picture was taken was very cool. I got tacky and cliché with it and took a picture walking across the street, wrote my name on the wall of the Abbey Road Studio, and got a picture with the Abbey Road street sign. The zebra crossing is still in use as regular intersection and is just as busy as any other road, so when tourists start to take pictures and slow up traffic, that’s the only time you’ll get the rude beeping from held up traffic.

I hope to come back to this amazing country one day. I would love to see more of the beautiful country and find my way through the streets of London once again.

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I love this place, what a beauty #TowerBridge #notLondonbridge #London #ThamesRiver (at Tower Bridge )

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Took down a Full English Breakfast; yes I'm good people #spoons #thebestpeople #foodbaby (at Whetherspoons)

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Hever Castle, saw some history today #thesehoesaintroyals #AnneBoleyn #castlecastle (at Hever Castle, Kent UK)

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Sunday Funday: Happy Easter from yours truly & Mr. Big Ben #London #beingbritish #sundayfunday

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Successful day in London [photo bomb by the balding gentleman to the right] #latergram #nofilter #LondonEye #Britsdoitbetter (at London Eye, London)

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#ITFNetanya #longwalks #thisismyspot #beachbeautiful

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Today was really good #nofilter

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Spring is coming! The weather has been great & it is time for the beach again! Some happenings in March… Can you believe it’s already March? Winter has come and gone, and it’s time for it to get hot again. The days aren’t clouded and there’s no more rain. The sun shine definitely puts me in a brighter mood. Also beach days are a pretty good plus. I feel like I am still discovering new things about this country every day. When I visited some friends in the north this past weekend, we went to a national park that I had visited on Birthright almost three years ago, and I felt the weirdest déjà. Michael spends his time there for his volunteering and gives tours of the national park. He hooked it with a private tour of the Roman ruins and we had an amazing view of Israel and the Jordan River Valley. Seeing all the colors and the sea of green that run the hills, it was a really great refresher. It was so nice to get out of Netanya and spend a day in nature and soak up the beauty that is this amazing country. I’ve had this contradicting feeling about Israel for a long time. It comes and goes but it really simmers within me when I am spending time in the rural parts of the country. Israel means a lot to me and is a place that I have always considered home. I am comfortable here and it signifies a place that has a true Jewish community; but I get angry that the world fights over this beautiful place. When I am in the open hills and I see the beauty of the country that others might take for granted when sitting around a round table, I get nothing but chills. When something is important to me I hold it and I don’t let it go. I’ve had Israel at my grasp and I love getting to see the country and its unique geography. The desert, the mountains, the Mediterranean Sea in my backyard….the charm this country has can make you want to stay here forever. With three and half more months left here in paradise, it really makes me think about my next move. Sometimes I hit a road block and I try and figure out how this experience living in another country will affect my life from now on. This program ends but my growth and experience doesn’t…

If anything this trip to the Gilboa really solidified my need to get out and explore and to keep exploring. It reminded me that there is so much beauty in the world and it needs to be seen. We have more hikes set up in the next few months, and I leave for London in two weeks, which will be an experience in its own way. That’s something I have really been looking forward to. I look forward to my volunteering with the high school students. I really enjoy working with these kids. High school was that period of time where you learned a lot about yourself, but also they show such different personalities. They all have different stories, and it reminds me of that age when you’re just trying to get through. There is all the school drama, the little couples and cliques that give you that ‘where do I sit at lunch?’ Mean Girls feeling, and you really get the feel of what teenagers are like when you aren’t one. I like to think I have established a cool unique relationship with the ones that I work with and that they appreciate the relationship too. They look forward it, and on days when I can’t be there or if I have to switch up the schedule I get really bummed. I appreciate the time I get with two eighth grade girls and how they catch me up on all the gossip or even hanging out with David and his group of seventh grade boys. These kids really bring that sense of reward and it makes me feel good that I can teach them something and they will remember it.

Every day is always a surprise. Everyday is always an adventure. My days are filled with happiness and it is all because of how I look at my day and how I love being here and witnessing everything as it happens. These are just a few of the experiences that I want to share and have people read about because I can’t capture everything. It’s not something I am trying to experience for you and keep you posted on, but I do love being able to share how these moments are shaping me and making me so appreciative for everything important and meaningful in my life. It was nice to hang out with the teens and be there to experience how they celebrate one of my favorite holidays. It was great spending time with some new friends and learning their stories. That breathtaking hike gave me that unique perspective on life and reminded me that life is going on, it is happening and we need to be present for it. 

Things are really Sababa.

B’ahava, - A