Meet Your Staff: Dan, Zach, and Noga
Dan Argentar
Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Chicago; Northbrook.
What do you for a living? I am an English teacher and Literacy Coach.
When did you go to Israel for the first time? 1987 - before most of you were born :)
What's your favorite Israeli food to eat and favorite place to eat it at? Falafel - Anywhere. I'm a simple guy.
What's a fun fact about you? I've seen 35 Grateful Dead shows - traveling to two countries and seven states to do so.
What's one thing about Israel that you wish you could bring back to America with you? My Israeli friends - particularly their strength, wisdom, and 'ruach'!
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? Golan Heights.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? Israelis!
What is your spirit animal and why? Never had one...so according to this Buzzfeed quiz, I am a sloth. I am as cool as a cucumber, and I love to go with the flow. My favorite activities include eating, sleeping, and eating again. My rap name is Sir Naps-a-Lot.
Zach Pellish
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?Skokie, IL and now live in Chicago.
What do you do for a living? I work full time for Shorashim as the North American Operations Manager.
When did you go to Israel for the first time? I first went to Israel on a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with Shorashim in 2010. Since then I've been back four times, including living and working in Jerusalem for four months.
What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? My favorite place is Israel is the Hass Promenade that overlooks Jerusalem. I used to live a few blocks from it and would there to relax, think, and soak up the beauty of Jerusalem.
What's a fun fact about yourself? I've thrown out the first pitch at a Cubs game.
What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? Hummus. Anywhere, anytime.
Where is your favorite place to take groups? Jerusalem because there is no other place in the world like it. The variety of cultures so closely together, as well as the history and gorgeous landscape makes for an incredibly unique city.
If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be? The sense of community and how welcoming everyone is even with people they've just met.
What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? Having Israelis for all ten days adds something truly special to the trip. There is nothing better than going to Israel and seeing it with the people that know it best, which is Israelis.
Noga Caspi
What's a fun fact about yourself? I was a professional ice-skater as a kid.
What do you love most about Shorashim? That they do everything with a smile!
Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days? Having The Israelis there the whole time is important because that way they're REALLY part of the group. You share the whole experience, so interact more, understand better, bond deeper.
If you could say one thing to future Taglit-Birthright Israel participants, what would it be? Be there, really take in all that this experience has to offer.
