Junior Year in Israel

February 20, 2008
Contributed by: Sandra Levine, EIE Participant

[Blog Editor's Note: The Eisendrath International Exchange (EIE) is a program for high school juniors through the Union for Reform Judaism . Currently, four of Anshe Emeth's students are spending the spring semester studying in Israel. Sandra has given her permission for the Blog Editor to share the letter she wrote to family and friends.]

It’s been about three weeks that I have been in Israel and it is really going great! It was very stressful at first and a little bit overwhelming, but everyone adjusted quickly and it has gotten a lot easier.

Adrian, Sam, Sandra and Adam enjoy an unusual snowfall only a few days after their arrival in Israel

My typical day is very very long. We start school at 8 inthe morning and have Hebrew for 2 and a half hours and then Jewish History for three hours. Then I have about two hours off, then I have Spanish, US History, Math, and Physics. I get out of school at 7 at night and then go to a group meeting and then hang out with friends, occasionally do homework, or hang out with our new Israeli friends. The kibbutz is very nice but I am getting a little tired of the food.

Sam and Sandra

I wanted to get in touch with everyone now because tomorrow we pack all of our stuff up and head out to Masada to see the sunrise. Then we spend two days in Ein Gedi and then a day at the Dead Sea. Right from the Dead sea we are going to Gadna--the army training session-- for five days. We have had a few orientations for it and I am so excited. We also change rooms when we get back so I have a lot of packing to do tonight!!

Adam

Today we are taking a trip to some museum--I'm sure everyone knows how thrilled I am about that--and then we just have a regular day. The past few days have been very exciting because a group from Boston was here and Rabbi Gold was with them and I got to spend a lot of time with him. Also my friend Emma arrived in Israel yesterday and she came to visit too! Tonight I might be seeing another friend from home that is leaving Jerusalem soon. It is so nice to see people from home in Israel. I miss everyone and would love to hear from everyone.