Bekkah Gold

Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Originally New Rochelle, NY, currently New York, NY.

What do you do for a living? I am currently in graduate school, working towards a Masters Degree in Jewish Education. I interned at UJA-Federation of NY this past school year and work at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle, NY, doing youth engagement work.

When did you go to Israel for the first time? I first went to Israel in 2004, with classmates of mine at the time. It was during the second Intifada, so we spent most of our time in the Negev and in Jerusalem. It was still a wonderful trip!

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? There is a small restaurant in Tzfat - I never knew the name of it - and I had the best lunch there - just your typical greek salad, but the bread and cheese was AMAZING! I hope I can find it again. I also love just about anything from Tmol Shilshom and banana chocolate waffles from Babette (Jerusalem).

What's a fun fact about yourself? I don't know how to ride a bike! I'm not sure if that is very fun or not, but I wish I knew how and I've been thinking it's time to learn! 

What's your favorite Israeli food/favorite place in Israel to eat it? Gummies from the Shuk.

What's your favorite place to visit in Israel? I have so many! I really like to visit Mount Bental in the Golan. The views are beautiful, and it is a wonderful time to take a step back and think about where we are.

Where is your favorite place to take groups on Taglit? I don't have one specific place, but one of my favorite things to do with a Taglit-Birthright Israel group would have to be to find a place in a nearby park on Shabbat to just spend time being in Israel.  

If there was one aspect of Israel that you could bring back to America with you, what would it be? I

What's the #1 reason that you recommend that your friends and family should go on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim? I was convinced to staff Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim after finding out the way that Israeli participants are wholly integrated into the program. I think that the learning experiences can be seriously enhanced by learning multiple perspectives and diverse narratives.

Anything else you want to share? I'm so excited for this summer!!!

Shira Boso

How long have you been a guide? Two years

What's your favorite Shorashim memory?  Sing along in the Bedouin tent, guitar, bonfire, great people, great night.

What's a fun fact about yourself? Im obsessed with sweets.

What's your favorite part about Israel? I guess it will be the warmth between everybody. Its like a big family where people care about each other, its really amazing to see how people will open up and take care of one another in case of need.

What's your favorite Israeli food? Where's your favorite place in Israel to eat it? Shakshuka! There's this amazing place in the market in Jerusalem where they cook home made food called Azura. simply the best :)

What do you love most about Shorashim? The Israelis for the whole journey. 

What's your favorite site to go to take participants to on Taglit? Jerusalem- full of magic!

What's your favorite city in Israel and why? Jerusalem- because its home. 

If you could say one thing to future participants, what would it be? This is the experience of a lifetime. Doesn't matter with which background you are coming from- this is somthing that touches everyone with their own personal life.

Why is it important to you to have Israelis on the trip for all 10 days? I think that ithe connection with the Israelis is one pf the most important things in this journy and with everyday that goes by the relatuinships are getting deeper and stronger. Without a doubt, five days are not enough time to expriance the depth of this journy and the fact that the Israelies are going through everything together with the Americans makes it a big family to begin with. 

Anything else you want to share? I feel so lucky to have the chance of going through this journey in Israel and being able to experience this with people..