Visiting Israel for the First Time

by Lisa Weinberger | More from this Blogger

24 Apr 2006 02:28 PM

Growing up, I remember friends asking me about my family background; where did my ancestors come from and the countries. I remember my answer was, "I am Jewish." My friends would always be confused as being Jewish was my religion, or so we thought.

As I became older, I found I was not the only one who would answer this question this way and began realizing that the religion I was brought up in was Judaism but the ethnic and cultural background had a lot to do with being a practicing Jew.

For Jewish people, besides the religion of Judaism, we have a strong culture and ties to the holy land of Israel. For anyone who has visited Israel, it is the most amazing country. For a Jew from America, who has learned about the Kotel (Wailing Wall), Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv; when first visiting all the places only seen in the books or movies, a feeling of overwhelming adrenaline floods your insides. The adrenaline rush takes over and tears begin to flow out of your eyes because you can't believe you are actually in Israel.

When life seems to be getting too much, many young adults explore their options of traveling and this was my reason for visiting Israel. My first and only visit (so far) to Israel allowed me to teach English to 5th and 6th graders in Kata Mon, Jerusalem. I found a group through my local UJA chapter and decided to sign up and go alone.

I was able to get donations from my synagogue and the UJA and it left me with $500 to pay for my plane ticket to Israel. Little did we know that when I arrived in Israel, the two offices never spoke to one another and didn't really know what to do with this group of 30 twenty-something year olds.

Once things got settled, I made connections to the Israeli children I taught English to, as well as the people I met on the trip. I hope to visit Israel sometime soon and relive the feelings of the closeness I shared with the Land of Milk and Honey.

Learn more about Lisa Weinberger

Lisa Weinberger began her career as a teacher and private tutor 15 years ago, and has taught preschoolers to adults. Lisa spent 4 months in Israel teaching English to Israeli students.

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Miriam Metzinger (174) 25 Apr 2006 12:03 AM

Lisa: Hi. Thanks for sharing this. When was this trip to Israel? I actually live in Katamon, the area you mentioned. Next time you come to Israel, let us know. We'd be happy to see you!

Miriam Metzinger

Lisa Weinberger (1623) 25 Apr 2006 01:12 AM

No way!!! What a small world! It was in 1997, I lived in the apartment complex where there was synagogue underneath the apartments. The complex was about a 5 minute walk to the Jerusalem Mall and the Soccer stadium. I taught at the elementary school where we had to hike up tons of stairs every morning. It was the best experience of my life and will stay with me forever.