In February of 2003 as a 15 year old, I went to Israel for my very first time. The trip was lead by Rabbi Wilfond and included teens from TBE and other Boston-area temples. It was an incredible opportunity to experience Israeli culture, learn, and connect with Judaism on a deeper level.  We did many of the typical touristy things such as visiting historical sites, staying on a Kibbutz, and swimming in the Dead Sea however; the most memorable part of the trip was staying with a local family in Haifa.

Each teen was paired up with an Israeli teen and his/her family. It enabled us to truly get a sense for what life was like in Israel and also form deeper connections. That is how I met Alexandra. I had the good fortune of being paired with Alex and her family. While they didn’t have much and lived in a small two-bedroom apartment, they opened their home to me and welcomed me in as if I was part of their family. I can still remember to this day, the incredible couscous and pomegranate glazed chicken her mother made for dinner. Alex and I would stay up late gossiping and trading stories.

Since that visit, Alex and I have stayed in touch and our friendship has only grown. She came to the US in 2004, I saw her again in Israel in 2010, and we have shared many WhatsApp messages. While we were not able to make it to each other’s weddings, we swapped pictures and stories to keep each other filled in. Recently when Alex and her husband came to New York, the four of us went out to dinner and our husbands were able to form a connection of their own. I am so thankful that the TBE trip helped to create a lasting friendship that ultimately has deepened my connection with Israel.