Since my teen years, I’ve had the “travel bug.” World Cultures was my favorite subject in school and I found it fascinating how so many different kinds of people there were in the world. I had many wonderful adventures (mostly in my teens and 20s), but nothing can compare to the experience I had in Israel.

To me, travel means education. An immersed education. A whole education. An education where all 5 senses are utilized to the maximum and your brain is treated to the newness of everything you encounter along the journey.

Israel was an 11 day educational course! 11 days full of countless experiences, tastes, sights, smells sounds and EDUCATION! The mix of technology, history, diversity, immense challenges, suffering, and triumph we astonishing. The non-profit organizations we were fortunate enough to volunteer in and experience were the highlights of this trip for me.

Israel truly left a mark on my heart and my soul. Being able to experience this beautiful and important place with all of my JCC colleagues was a reward I feel so fortunate to receive. We all have a shared love for the JCC and we all retuned from this trip with a shared love for Israel and ideas for the JCC we wish to implement, as a result.

It’s safe to say, I’ve been bitten by the “travel bug” once again! The memories I made in Israel are as vivid as the rainbow of colors in the open-air markets and I will remain forever changed as a result of the experiences and education I gained while visiting!