
Last May I packed up as many clothes as I could fit into my suitcase to head on a trip to a country I have only dreamed of going to, Israel. Little did I know that this trip would be the most amazing 10 days of my life. Many people overuse that phrase, but it is true. You have to truly experience Israel on Birthright to get it. It feels like a dream looking back on it. In those 10 days I became a whole new person. I always considered myself Jewish, but I now had a deeper understanding of Judaism. More importantly, a deeper connection to my faith and a place where there is so much history. It isn’t about being religious; it is a trip about understanding your roots. From praying at the Western Wall, floating in the Dead Sea, to eating falafel in Tel Aviv I now have a home in Israel, and a place in my heart for this country. You do so much in 10 days. You never stop. You see Israel in all its lights and angles. But the people are what help you see this. From the tour guides and Israeli soldiers, you get a clear picture and learn that Israel is not what you see in the news. It is a magical place. Birthright exposes you to realize you have had a second home your whole life. You won’t realize until its over, but you will grow as a person, and make connections for a lifetime.
Brittney is a sophomore film/media major and journalism minor student here at the University of Rhode Island who enjoys doing improv in her spare time.
Brittney is a sophomore film/media major and journalism minor student here at the University of Rhode Island who enjoys doing improv in her spare time.