Elizabeth Foster

This past summer I had the experience of a lifetime, thanks to a grant from the Jewish Foundation. Many told me I was crazy for wanting to go to Israel. Some even questioned my mother's judgment, but I was determined to go.

I was one of six kids from Cincinnati to go on the BBYO Classic Europe and Israel trip. This 31-day adventure took me to London, Oxford, Amsterdam, Brugge, Brussels, Calais, Paris, and Israel. Twenty-eight youth from all over the United States went with me and we had a blast. There were twelve girls on the trip, which provided for an easy setting to bond. These eleven girls became the "sisters" I never had. I am still in awe that I woke up to these wonderful people every morning and that I got to experience all that I did with them.

My favorite place while in Israel was Ein Gedi, the nature, and animal reserve. It is an awesome place. Surrounded by desert, Ein Gedi is an oasis where one can get refreshment from the hot desert sun. The waterfalls are majestic. The inhabitants of this very rare reserve were things I had never heard of. One looks like a large rabbit and is a relative of the elephant. There is also a cousin of the deer there. The most dangerous are the snakes. One of the most deadly snakes on earth lives there, but in reality it is more afraid of you, than you are of it. All of these animals make their home in Ein Gedi and all of them have a special job in the existence of this treasure.

The magic of Ein Gedi cannot be found anywhere else. As I left there, I could not imagine a more beautiful site to have spent a day. That day is a day I will never forget and is the highlight of my trip to Israel.

A greater understanding of the significance of this trip came to realization on September 11, 2001. On the day of the terrorist attacks my first thoughts were of my "sisters" and other friends who traveled with me this past summer. The first person I thought of was Melanie, who lives in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. I knew a plane had crashed near the area, but was not sure exactly where. I prayed that she was all right.

When I got home from school, emails from around the United States awaited me. After several hours on the net and the phone, I discovered that Melanie lives 80 miles from the crash site and was safe. I also learned that two of the boys from the trip, who live in the New York area, were also safe. A sigh of relief fell over me. I do not know what I would have done if any of my "sisters" or friends had been hurt.

As I look at all my pictures, I think of all the wonderful places I visited this summer. I now understand why it is so important to travel to Israel. First, to make a connection with The Land and our history, but also to form Jewish bonds of solidarity around the country and the world. These friendships will never be forgotten and are needed to insure the future of Israel and the Jewish faith.

Elizabeth, 17, is a senior at Walnut Hills High School. She belongs to Isaac M. Wise Temple and attends the Cincinnati Reform Jewish High School. Elizabeth serves as a teacher's assistant at Wise. She assists with the sixth grade students. Elizabeth is also the 2002 co-chair for NFTY-OV Regionals. She hopes to go to college next year where she will major in Jewish studies. She has volunteered at Jewish Day Camps and has participated in the Wise Temple Mitzvah Projects.

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