Achim Lechaim

It’s impossible to describe. Perhaps a combination of a million English words might come close, but I doubt it. The first full day in Israel felt like the first day of the rest of my life. With 40 new brothers and sisters we were given quite possibly the greatest gift that a Jewish person, or any person could experience, and again it was only day one! From a warm hike through the most beautiful mountain terrain, exploring 2000 year old caves, to a snow covered mountain top, I felt like I have seen it all. How many people can say “I had a snow ball fight on the top of a mountain in Israel” or “I threw a snowball into Syria”? We laughed, we cried, we loved, we danced, and we lived. We truly lived. As of now I am not sure how I can return to America and articulate what I have experienced. I can show all the photos (although I didn’t take that many because I was living in the moment), I can tell all the stories, but this is something that must be done in person. As I sit on the bus on the way to our next adventure I feel comfort, security, and peace. Something I hope this land will feel unconditionally. As I continue my trek I pledge to live my life in a way that will ensure just that. Until next time….”Achim lechaim” [Brothers for life]

Philip Jasper