Virtual Israel Experience

Ginda Kushnir

This summer I had an experience of a lifetime! I was one of those lucky students who traveled to Israel with grants from the Jewish Foundation. My trip was called the Classic Europe and Israel Experience; it was a trip that one can only dream about. I couldn't believe it until the last moment when I packed my bags and was ready to go.

On June 25th I flew to Newark Airport where I met my two counselors and my group: they were students from all over the country. Everyone was so excited about the trip itself and each of us was eager to be an independent adult traveling without his or her parents' supervision.

The flight I took went directly to London. Next we went to Holland and Belgium and then on to Paris. In Europe our group bonded together and we saw the famous sites that each city is known for. However, our final stop was Israel. Israel, the land of my ancestors who were forced to leave it a long time ago with hope that some day their children would come back. And we did! There was a welcome ceremony with flags and songs. I will always remember the words of one of the leaders. He said: "When G-d created the world he had ten items of beauty to give. Nine of them he gave to Israel and one to the rest of the world." This fact proved itself to be so true because not only is Israel beautiful physically but the spiritual meaning makes it the most exquisite country in the world.

For many of us it was our first time in Israel and we knew nothing about it. I found out that there is very little rain and beautiful blue clear skies. Isn't that something? I also learned how sincere and caring people were toward each other.

The first city we visited was Jerusalem, a holy city for Jewish, Moslem, and Christian people. The entire sight reminded me of the Disney cartoon "Aladdin." I saw the famous Western Wall!

Next we had a very special water hike and climbed Massada. We were told about the people who once lived there and sacrificed their lives. There was also a Bedouin experience where we slept in tents and drank tasty and sweet tea. After this we went on camel rides in the dessert.

Israel was unlike any other country I had visited. I appreciated the safe feeling that everybody felt. I could sense that everyone was on your side. I also saw that each piece of this small land was cherished by those who lived there. Everyone seemed so proud of his or her heritage, so brave, and so ready to defend the homeland. However, Israel was beautiful and special for me because I felt that it belonged to me as well.

I cannot express how thankful I am to the people who made this trip possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ginda Kushnir is a junior at Walnut Hills High School. She was born in Russia and recently immigrated to the United States.

Copyright 2009 The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise