2001 - United Synagogue Youth

ShalhevetMy JourneyLindsay SherrinHave you ever thought about or imagined what it must have been like to be living through theHolocaust? Well, I know that this was a question that I used to find myself asking until this last summer.This past summer I was a member of Group 5 Israel Pilgrimage/Poland Seminar and I can honestly saythat it was the best learning experience of my life.We started the trip off in Poland, where we visited five concentration camps within one week.That week was beyond a doubt the hardest and most mentally draining of my life. The things that I sawwithin the camps were mind boggling, and the camps themselves were completely depressing. I walkedaway from that week in Poland with a new appreciation for Holocaust survivors and for our religion.If you too wish to gain a greater respect for the Jewish people, then going to Poland before going toIsrael is the way to do that.After concluding our week in Poland, we then headed for Israel, where we spent the next fiveand half weeks. Having never been to Israel before, I did now know what to expect, but as soon as I gotoff the plane I felt completely at home and surprisingly safe. Knowing that the majority of people inIsrael share the same religion as you is so comforting, and seeing Hebrew everywhere is not only reallycool but also extremely incredible. I fell in love with Israel within the first five minutes of being there,and I knew from that moment that the summer would be incredible.During our weeks in Israel, we traveled to the North as well as the South, and in addition tothat we stayed in Jerusalem for a good two weeks. What I found to be amazing about Israel was thateach place we went to was equally beautiful and unique. I have a special memory from each placevisited, and I continue to hold those memories close to my heart.As the weeks dwindled down and we realized that we would be back home, I could feelnothing but sadness about having to leave Israel, a place that I already considered to be home. I knowthat I will return soon, but every day I miss it more and more. If you are considering going, do not holdback; go to Israel and experience all of the pleasures that I briefly shared with you.Photo by Rina Goldberg.27