Deb Karmel

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Orginally from Cincinnati. Currently live in Minneapolis.

What do you for a living? I am a baker at a local Minneapolis bakery called Isles Bun & Coffee and I am a Membership Service Team Member at the Downtown Minneapolis YMCA.

When did you go to Israel for the first time? In 8th grade with my class from Yavneh Jewish Day School in Cincinnati.

What's your favorite Israeli food to eat and favorite place to eat it at? Babet in Jerusalem (waffles so deliciously naughty they make the Belgians blush), a place in Zichron Yaakov that had the most incredible and fresh frozen yogurt (sadly they've closed), and Israeli breakfasts in general (we need to bring that concept of breakfast to America).

What's a fun fact about you? I turned 28 on the 28th of November on the 2nd of 8 night of Channukah.

What's one thing about Israel that you wish you could bring back to America with you? HOSPITALITY!

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? Does a person have just one? My answer now is different from what it would have been before I made Aliyah. Having spent most of my time living in Jerusalem and since many friends and previous co-workers of mine live there, that has to be my answer. My fiancé and I lived right in the city center and got to know the city very well. One of the things I miss most is moseying on down to the Old City whenever we wanted; a mere 20 minute walk. I always think "That will have been the coolest backyard I will ever have. I also love Netanya (Cincinnati's sister city), the Dead Sea because it is magnificent and feels fabulous, and the Kinneret. My awesome bus 519 buds will soon understand why this question is impossible to answer.

Where are you most looking forward to taking your participants to on Taglit? Again, who has just one? Can the whole country be my answer? Ranked at the top are the Negev (the Bedouin/Masada experience), Yad Vashem, the Dead Sea, Har Hertzl, and the Kotel.

Who is your spirit animal? DOG. I can't understand why people don't want to play all of the time, I'm friendly, my eyes get really big when I'm excited, and I shed (I have a LOT of hair on my head).

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? Shorashim offers something that makes the Taglit-Birthright Israel experience complete; the entire 10 days with Israeli counterparts. I have experienced this first-hand when I staffed for Shorashim a number of years ago and it certainly sets it apart. Shorashim participants see Israel not just through a tour bus or camera, but through the eyes of the Israelis who have joined their group. The dialogue, the memories, the friendships are irreplaceable. I cannot wait for the Americans and Israelis to experience the benefits of this unique and special component.

Anything else that you want to share? I'm looking forward to, in a way, re-discovering Israel with new friends and sharing all that I can to help my participants gain the maximum from their trip. They are in for an experience of a lifetime and I'm honored to be a part of it.

Audrey Bloomberg

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Metro Detroit, MI.. Still live here.

What do you do for a living? Currently I teach preschool at a local Jewish day school in Metro-Detroit. I graduated with my Masters degree in December 2014 in Non-profit management and am looking for my next career move!

When did you go to Israel for the first time? 2004 on my own Taglit Birthright Israel experience! (I just realized how old I am to have participated on a trip in 2004!)

What's a fun fact about yourself? When I was five years old, I appeared on a local tv show called "Kids R Kids" featuring six kids, three of which had physical disabilities. We even did a mini tour of local elementary schools.

What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? Tmol Shlilshom, best post-Shabbat meals, if you love a cozy off the beaten path restaurant that's also a library!

Where is your favorite place to take groups on Taglit? The Negev, specifically the outlook at Sde Boker. It is an incredible place with a breathtaking view that you can't get anywhere else!

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? This is the only trip out there that you spend all 10 days with your Israeli peers. It truly is a unique, non-denominational experience. I wish I would have gone on a Shorashim trip for my own Taglit experience.

Yossi Nameri

How long have you been a guide? 37 years.

What's your favorite Shorashim memory? Meeting Anne Lansky.

What's a fun fact about yourself? I love Israeli folk dancing.

What's your favorite food to eat in Israel and favorite place to eat it? Kube okra in Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem.

What's your favorite place to take groups to visit? Ein Gedi.

What's your favorite city in Israel and why? Haifa - beautiful view, green nature, near the sea, coexistence between Jews and non-Jews.

What do you love most about Israel? The history is alive and continue every day by Israelies that are very involved in the society.

What do you love most about Shorashim? Having Israelies for 10 days in Taglit and all the time in the high school trip.

Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days? The Israelis are the soul of the trip because they bring the spirit of the state of Israel, nowadays, the modern hebrew language, the songs and the music, the arguments and the agreements, the life of soldiers in IDF, and the students life in Israel, the non-politicly corect behaviour and the friendship, without any condition. With Israelis, we can easier talk about things that has to be change and hopes for better Jewish state. From the beginning in the airport, the Israelis are full participants til the last day and by this the group become a unite family for 10 days that continues after the saying "shalom" by the conection, visits and... Facebook.

Anything else that you want to share? Hope to continue many more years!

If you could say one thing to future participants, what would it be? You will be surprised how much the trip with impact you, both as an American or an Israeli participant.