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The Charlotte Jewish News - February 2010 - Page 5 Making Connections in Israel Dayna (right) tries to experience the life of an Israeli sol dier By Dayna Slotkis If I had to sum up my Israel experience in one word it would have to be connection. I gained a stronger connection to my classmates, my land, my her itage, and my roots. By spending the last three months in the most holy land in the world, I realized I am very blessed to be a part of such a rich culture. I had the opportunity to experience what it is really like to live as an Israeli and a Jew in our own land. All the places we visited, such as the Kotel, Masada, and army bases really gave me the feeling of connection to my land. Everything I learned in the classroom I can take with my throughout my life and I will remember the knowledge and experience always. From the moment we stepped off the plane we felt the love in the air. People were kissing the ground that we would soon be learning so much about. Part of what made the experience so special was the people that left a per sonal mark on our Israel experience. First there was David, our beloved teacher whose unique qualities drew us to him as a mentor and a friend. And then there were the inspirational sto ries from Yossi, our guide, that brought tears to our eyes that are forever embedded in our mind and hearts. He not only taught us the 4,000 years of history of our Jewish ancestors, but also helped all of us leam about each other and most importantly ourselves. Our first overnight tiyul (trip) was at Masada. Most of us knew the story and some had already hiked the snake path. David and Yossi told us we were going to be spending six hours on the top of Masada. Let’s just say, we weren’t very happy as we started on our long climb. However, it was while gazing at the stars above our heads, fripping and falling on our faces, that the class realized something. We realized that we were doing this hike together. The love for each other was a new experience unlike any before; and at that moment, we rec ognized the incredible impact of this frip. We will never again see, feel, or hear anything quite like we did that morning at Masada. Two weeks after we arrived in Israel, it was time to go on Yam I ’Yam (Sea to Sea), and our hearts were pounding with apprehension and excitement. Everyone had told us that this frip would be the high light of our journey because it would unite our class as one. We biked ten miles through banana fields, and of course, we were com plaining, crying and doing everything in between. We hiked in the heat, the cold, the morning and the evening, but more impor tantly we bonded as a class and did things together that we could have never done alone. With the sweet smell of cows in the air, we slept in tents that we set up ourselves, ate food that was cooked on hot plates, and walked what felt like 100 miles. If that isn’t a life changing experience, we don’t know what is. Without agencies like Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Federation, we teens may not have had the opportunity to experience such a life changing experience. For the generosity of the agencies and its donors, I want to thank all for the opportunity afforded me to partake in such an amazing jour ney. ^ American Hebrew Academy teens exploring Israel. ❖ KITCHENS ❖ BATHS ❖ ADDITIONS ❖ OUTDOOR SPACES 11220 ElmLn. Suite 205-A Charlotte, NC 28277 704.541.0000 WWW. stonecraftbuildersllc .com HomeBuilders AHodatkuOfCtiulDne Buy or Sell your Home with Me and I will donate $200 to the American Red Cross for the Relief Efforts in Haiti Cathy Speizman realtor®/broker CSPEIZMAN@DMAHOMES.COM T : 704.602.4287 M: 704.258. I 39 I ■ &ASSOCIATES MITCHENER Cathy Speizman Is now an agent with Dickens Mitchener & Assoc. Cathy is a licensed Realtor with over 5 years experience in the Charlotte market and would love to help you buy or sell a home. THE DICKENS-MITCHENER WAY LEADING REAL ESTATE COMPANIES' W(]RLi> {S ORPOBIOJIITI REALTOir
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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