On January 5, 2012 the Aerosvit airplane touched down at Ben Gurion Airport. All 40 students participating in KU Hillel’s Birthright trip survived the grueling 20 hours of traveling it took to finally make it to Israel. We hopped on the bus and drove straight north to stay at a Kibbutz on the Mediterranean coastline. The next day, we were up bright and early to start at 7:30 a.m. where we went to the Rosh Hanikra and toured the grottos/caves along the Israel/Lebanon boarder. “The caves were beautiful. It was like looking at something out of a movie,” said Jenna Delesha. After the caves everyone got to explore on their own for lunch in Rosh Pina. Right away, everyone flocked to the Shwarma restaurant where we all experienced our first authentic Israeli meal.
Later that day, we went on nature hikes through Mount Meiron and the Hula Valley. We ended our first full day in Israel with dinner and an Israeli movie called The Lost Island and got some much-needed sleep.
The next day in Israel was just as jam-packed. Although it was raining, that did not stop us from making the most of our time here. We started off the day in the Golan Heights where we watched an interactive video about everything that is produced in the area and then we toured the Olive Oil Press. After lots of delicious samples of olive oils and testing the soaps and hand creams that were made in the factory, we got back on the bus and drove to the Golan Winery. At the winery we learned how there are over 26 types of grapes, which are used to make the world-renowned wine that is produced in the Golan Heights.
For three nights we have stayed at the Malkiya Kibbutz, “I really like it here. It feels very homey,” said Nicole Levin. Our first Shabbat in Israel was spent on the Kibbutz with an amazing service lead by KU Hillel’s Senior Jewish Educator, Rabbi Neal Schuster.
After only three days in Israel, everyone on the trip has become incredibly close. It’s almost like we are all already one big family and we cannot wait to see what the rest of Israel has to offer!
~Written by Leah Swartz, KU Sophomore from California