Meet Your Staff: Jordyn, Alex, and Maayan | Shorashim - Israel with Israelis

Meet Your Staff: Jordyn, Alex, and Maayan

Jordyn Harris

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? I am originally from Vernon Hills and I currently live in Lincoln Park.

What do you for a living? I work for the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago in the Women's Division. I oversee a group called the Young Women's City Council, which is comprised of young women who live in Chicago.

When did you go to Israel for the first time? I went to Israel for the first time during the fourth quarter of my junior year of high school on Alexander Muss High School in Israel.  

What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? It is very random, but Muza in Arad is my favorite place to eat in Israel. Best burger in the world!

What's a random, fun fact about yourself? If I could go to dinner with anyone, dead or alive, it would be Theresa Caputo, The Long Island Medium. 

If you could bring one thing back to America from Israel, what would it be? Nationwide Shabbat!

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? My favorite place to visit is the art shuk in Tel Aviv.

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? To create a strong and meaningful Jewish identity and be able to share that experience with your fellow Chicagoans!

What's your spirit animal? My spirit animal is a dog because I am loyal, energetic, I like to be around people, and when I am not running around I enjoy sleeping.

Anything else that you want to share? I am so excited to be a part of Taglit-Birthright with Shorashim and I cannot wait to meet everyone!

Alex Feder

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? I'm from Skokie, IL and now I live in Lakeview, in Chicago. 

What do you for a living? I work in Israel education at the iCenter.

What's a random fun fact about yourself? I climbed to the top of a volcano in Chile one spring break.

When did you go to Israel for the first time? I first went to Israel on a family trip in 2003. I went back in high school, in college, and for a year of volunteering after graduation. 

What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? I first went to Israel on a family trip in 2003. I went back in high school, in college, and for a year of volunteering after graduation. 

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring backt o America with you, what would it be? I love how Israelis skip the small talk and just say it how it is. 

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? My favorite place to visit in Israel is Rehovot. My family friends the Markoviches live there, and whether it's spending time together at their house or hanging out in town, they always make feel like a part of the family.

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? Going to Israel is amazing. Going to Israel on a trip designed to connect you not just with the land but with the people is an experience that can change your life, and theirs. There is no better way to get that life-changing perspective than with Shorashim!

What's your spirit animal? I relate to the manatee not because of who I am, but who I aspire to be. The manatee is arguably the most graceful of the mammals. It loves to swim. It eats plenty of vegetables. Most importantly, the manatee brings joy to the hearts of people the world over. 

Anything else you want to share? I am SO EXCITED FOR TAGLIT-BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL WITH SHORASHIM.

Maayan Dishkin

How long have you been a tour educator? Seven years.

What's your favorite Shorashim memory? My group making fun of me.

What's a random fun fact about yourself? I'm a photographer. That's my second profession.

If you could say one thing to future participants, what would you say? Don't forget to have fun!

Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days? I think the meaning of it comes especially after the program when they realize how meaningful they have been to one another. Five days is just not enough to effect that much on each other.