9 days left! | Shorashim - Israel with Israelis

9 days left!

Hello participants, families and friends of Bus 8! My name is Jessica Ost and I am one of the American staff for our 10 day adventure in Israel. I was born and raised in Skokie, IL. I recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a major in Global Studies and a minor in Jewish Studies. I currently work with the Hillels Around Chicago as an Engagement Associate where I meet Jewish students all over the city.

I have been to Israel many times including on Birthright, with my family, a Jewish United Fund mission and for education. Most recently I was in Israel for 6 months where I studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. When the semester ended I was not ready to return home (I've heard that Israel does that to people...) so I extended my time in Israel for the summer volunteering on an IDF army base and hanging out with family and friends. Because of Israel’s diverse terrain I am most excited for the hikes that we are going to take on our 10 day excursion. Also I am excited to eat delicious food at the market in Jerusalem.

I hope everybody is as pumped as I am! Can't wait to meet everybody in 9 days!