JHP has been a part of my life now for over 10 years—4 years as a student and lead intern at Temple University and the past 6 years working side by side with Menachem expanding our programs. I have had the privilege of staffing one of our Birthright Israel trips 5 years ago, and now I have spent the last 8 days traveling this beautiful country with 24 amazing Young Professionals that I know will influence our community.
This idea of this trip began one Friday night sitting at Menachem’s Shabbat table. As soon as the discussion began, I said “This trip is going to happen because magic happens at Menachem’s table, and this is going to be something magical.” The trip was truly magical.
Over the past 10 months, with the help of many people, the trip evolved. Friends reached out to friends informing them of our leadership trip, giving them the opportunity to return to Israel to reconnect to our home land, and for some to experience it for the first time.
The past few months, this group of 25 really came together: all of the trip participants bonded while planning the trip and informing people about our program. With each planning meeting, social event and Shabbat dinner we planned together, we became more excited for the trip.
Each day, our itinerary presented us with a new and exciting aspect of Israel. From our extremely challenging 3 and half hour hike in which we had to figure out navigating the path together, to our community service visits, our multiple planning sessions in which each participant spoke about reaching out to friends about becoming part of JHP, the trip brought us new surprises. As our last activity as a group, we met with a chef in Jerusalem who took us on a tour through Machane Yehuda shuk to taste amazing cheeses, olives, bourekas, tahini, halva and amazing granola. The tour concluded at Chef Tali Freidman’s beautiful roof deck where we enjoyed an incredible 7 course meal as our final meal together in Israel. As I looked around the table that was filled with smiles, laughter and stories of our past 8 days together, I was truly excited for everything that will come next. As we drove to the airport, I walked through the bus and thanked each person for their contribution to the trip. Each of these participants individual personalities is what made the trip so remarkable. Israel is an incredible place and you can only hope to experience it with great people, and that is what has happened over the past 8 days. I am blessed to be able to be part of an organization that continues to challenge and reward me on a continual basis. The trip returns as Jewish people around the world are getting ready to celebrate the New Year. 5771 now holds so many wonderful possibilities as these participants return ready to share their experiences in Israel, and they are passionate about having an impact on Jewish life in Philadelphia. Our Chef Tali Freedman toasted us at our final meal, “may all the great things that happened to you this year, be the worst that happen to you next.” L’Shanah Tovah.
- Jennifer Birch
Jenn,
Again, L’Shanah Tova to you and the group staying longer in Israel. You are an amazing woman; you should be very proud of yourself. Keep loving Israel and life itself: you deserve it!! Can’t wait to hear about everything when you get back. Love you so very much ….. have a safe trip home, Mother