Meet your #Bus48 Staff
Get ready for an amazing adventure! #Birthright #Shorashim
*All pictures are either from your staff’s first trip to Israel, in general or as a staff person, or one of their favorite places*
Bar Galin
Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days?
In order to create a real connection to Israel, you need to connect not only with the land, but with the persons and personality of Jews that live in the land of the Jews.
This extraordinary journey must be surround the history that share Jews from the diaspora and Jews from the state of Israel, and together create a wonderful relationships in the present (from experience). This is why it is so important to have Israelis on birthright, FOR 10 DAYS!
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I play soccer in a amateur group,our name is "The Averages", we never won a match.
What's your favorite site to go to take participants to and why is it your favorite?
Safed (or tzfat), i like to take participants there because most of our life we talk about work,money, politics etc
all the subjects that are "down to earth", and in Safed the city of the Air and Wind, the spiritual city of Israel. you can actually feel spirituality and mysticism when you walk through her old streets and synagogues.
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Live your life according to values, not according to pressure from society.
What's your favorite Shorashim memory?
I have one that is amazing. We sat all of us around a campfire in the middle of the Negev desert after the Israelis did crazy contest for everyone that the prize to win was the "Golden Falafel". We sang songs until it was late. some of the group stayed and we continue chatting on our life in Israel and in Chicago. One of the participants told me that she is now understand what for her means to be a Jew.
What do you love most about Shorashim?
It is intense! You always moving around seeing places, there is no time to waste. you can wake up in the hotel in Jerusalem, noon swimming in the Dead Sea, afternoon camel riding, sleeping in tents at the desert. It's crazy.
What's your favorite city in Israel and why?
I now live in Tel Aviv, but I will say Jerusalem the best city, why? Go out on the street on Sabbath when the city suddenly stops and then you'll understand.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
Sabikh, a pita stuffed with fried eggplant and hard boiled egg, a tradition among Iraqi Jews.the best one is in Sabikh Frishman in Tel Aviv.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Lvh70jdyE
What's your favorite thing about Israel?
The people. I think that our history made us be protective and warm, and in spite of all our differences, we have this kind of "magical rope" that grabs us together. It's more complected, but i think its a good answer.
What's your favorite place that you have ever travelled to and why?
I think in India, there is a place called "Kodaikanal", Basically, a nowhere place on a top of a mountain that is always cloudy. When you open your door, the horizon always cloudy until you even cannot see ahead. there is a line in a song in Israel about that place. and it says "floating on a cloud at the station Kodaikanal".
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Come at least with one question or one doubt about yourself or about Israel and this trip will be much more meaningful for you.
Anything else you want to share?
I wish you an incredible time in Israel and happiness of all kinds.
Tovah Goodman
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I am from Pasadena, Ca but live in Chicago.
What do you do for a living?
I am a regional representative for Masa Israel, which provides 5-12 month programs in Israel for 18-30 year olds.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
I went on Birthright the summer of 2013.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I just released a comedy album.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
I am in love with Tzvat, there is something special in the air there. I always say I go to Israel to feel at home, but go to Tzvat to renew my soul.
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
I love the culture, food and thriving Jewish life of Krakow, Poland. It is beautiful with stunning architecture.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
The best treat is rugelach at Marzipan in Jerusalem.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be?
The honesty. Sometimes I just want people to say what they mean without the worry of offending anyone.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
Having Israelis in the group the whole time is such a lifechanging experience.
What /who is your spirit animal and why?
My spirit animal is a corgi. We are both awkward and goofy, but lovable and the life of the party.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You control your own timeline. You are never too old or too young to follow your dreams.
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Look around you. Most people are always looking on their phones, so I challenge each person to take a risk each day by eating a new food or talking to someone who is different from who they normally interact with.
Anything else you want to share?
I love nature, stars, music, yoga and meaningful conversations.
Shira Schwartz
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
Chicago (both).
What do you do for a living?
I am working on my masters in child development. I also work in preschool with infants.
When did you go to Israel for the first time?
One of my favorite places to visit is the Bahai Gardens.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I tore my ACL playing soccer my senior year of high school.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel?
When I was five years old, my grandparents took all of their grandchildren and families to Israel on a tour guided trip.
What's your favorite place that you've ever travelled to and why?
My favorite place that I traveled is Mexico because I use to go there every winter break with my grandparents and my aunts and cousins.
What's your favorite Israeli food and where is your favorite place in Israel to get this dish?
Falafel and I like it from any place in Israel.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Birthright Israel with Shorashim?
You get to experience Israel with Israelis for all 10 days are able to hear about their experience as an Israeli and make deeper connections with them.
What are your words of wisdom for your future participants?
Take everything in and try enjoying every moment of this experience.
