My Shabbat Experience | Shorashim - Israel with Israelis

My Shabbat Experience

Taryn Geiselman

Friday night was my first actual experience of observing shabbat. At my university, I am active in my Hillel. We have a shabbat dinner every Friday, but we don't take advantage of not using electronics or not driving. Observing shabbat on Friday night was a unique feeling that I haven't felt in a while. Taking a whole 24 hours away from my electronics is something I haven't done in a long time and the fact that everyone stops everything and doesn't drive anywhere is crazy to me!

On Friday night, we talked about the meaning of shabbat, sang songs, and repeated prayers. Then, we had a big dinner with fish, chicken, potatoes, green beans, salad, hummus, rice, and lava cake for dessert! I was stuffed! After dinner our group got together for an activity and we learned about everyone else's shabbat traditions. Afterward, we sat in a circle and just talked, sang songs, and got to know each other even more. I really felt a sense of community with my bus members!

Saturday morning was especially important to me because I had the most amazing opportunity of being bat mitzvah'd in Jerusalem, the holiest city in the world. I can't even describe my feelings of excitement that this trip has offered me in these 10 days and I love everything Israel has to offer.

I have met amazing people and love the Israelis that are on this trip with me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget for the rest of my life!

Taryn is pictured below with her amazing tour educator, Ishai, after her bat mitzvah!