By Lily Ramos
Staff Writer
A place sandwiched between constant war and conflict, but an important, spiritual destination for many- Israel. Three Costa juniors traveled to Israel this summer as a part of the NFTY program, ventured through its ancient lands, and came back with unique memories.
Students Sami Walley, Sami Jordan, and Bari Cohn have gone to Camp Hess Kramer Jewish camp for the past six to eight summers, but this year was different. Every year, a group too old to camp but too young to be counselors has the opportunity to go on a trip to Israel with the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) program.
“I would love to be a counselor more than anything,” Jordan said. “My counselors are the most amazing people I have ever met, and showed me what it means to be confident in yourself and also how to be the best friend one can be.”
Students flew into the Tel Aviv airport, the main Israeli airport. With their group of fifty-five, they hiked in the Negev, a desert region in southern Israel, for about four days. During their time in the Negev, they also took on the climb of Mount Shlomo, one of the tallest mountains in Israel.
“There are some things I do that after, I look back and can’t believe I did it, and [the climb] was one of those moments for me,” Jordan said. “The path would probably not be legal in America, it’s similar to climbing sideways up a mountain like a goat.”
The girls never saw any conflicts or dangerous things happening while in Israel, Walley said. They only went to safe spaces that had been specified by NFTY, and the program had planned out where they were going to visit during their stay. They had a private bus, so they never experienced public transportation, where they may have been exposed to dangerous situations.
“I felt safe because the organization NFTY has been doing these trips for years now, and has the system down to the science,” Walley said. “Also, the security guard on the trip was in the combat unit in the Israeli army, and was given extensive training before becoming our guard.”
A very important part of the trip was the students’ four-day excursion, where they experienced how life in the Israeli army is, Jordan and Walley said. They trained with the army and wore the army uniforms. The girls learned the drills and were commanded in Hebrew by members of the army.
“The Israeli army experience was really incredible, and I discovered a lot of parts of me I had not previously seen as well as pushing my limits,” Walley said. “I may not join the army, but it was a great experience to put myself literally in the boots of Israeli teens.”
For some parts of the trip, Israeli teenagers chosen through NFTY stayed with them so students could interact with Israeli people their age. The Israelis were all sixteen or seventeen, and they had to take tests on their English and knowledge of Israeli government in order to stay with the students. Also, personality tests were given to be selected for the position after an initial round of interviews.
“The main difference between American and Israeli teenagers is after we finish high school, we all talk about going to college and they all talk about going to the army because it’s a requirement in Israel.” Walley said. “But, other than that, they’re really similar to us.”
The girls packed many activities into their short stay of a month in Israel. The students have said that they feel more well-traveled after their adventure. Walley has talked of wanting to return to Israel after her experience with Birthright, a program that allows Jewish people ages 18-26 to take a trip to Israel for free.
“This trip was different than anything I have ever experienced because it was my first time leaving the continent, and I got to do it with like minded individuals and people I had a special connection with,” Walley said. “I plan to return with Birthright when I am 18, with my best friend from sleep away camp.”
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