I came to the conclusion that when I hopped the El-Al flight this time around for Israel, I couldn’t wait to get off the plane to begin a new chapter in my life as opposed to the anticipation of being in a mystical place that I had heard about all my life (my emotions the first time I came to Israel last summer).

I wasn’t as excited for attractions and monuments (even though they are incredibly important in their own right) as I was for history, text, travel, friendship, and growth. My purposes for coming to Israel have changed since last summer, and I believe that that is what makes Nativ so distinctive. Israel is going to be more than just a country to us, if it isn’t already. It will be home.
It was odd to think that in a year I would no longer be a tourist here in the Land of Israel. I sat thinking to myself what would happen once Nativ no longer felt as if it was a typical Jewish summer program, but instead, a journey that would eventually meet both my Judaic and secular goals in ways that I could never have hoped for on a 6 week summer program. It was comforting to know that I would not have to stress myself out with buying gifts for family and friends within the first week, or hurry to explore every inch of Jerusalem by the third open Shabbat. With nine months I feel that I can accomplish so much for myself and in general (aka, be fluent in Hebrew), and spend time relishing in adventures with people that I hope to call family sooner than later. Along those lines, this family that I’ve happily embraced over the past two weeks has become what we like to call a “kehilla” or community filled with directors, madrichim (track staff), and my 79 other fellow Nativers (otherwise affectionately known as the Stairmasters) (oh, and maintenance should count too). Together (actually, we get split up by track, kibbutz is the greatest), we have the pleasure of waking up every morning at whatever time is necessary in order to make it to Tefilot by 7:00-7:15 AM, and by the time 8:00 AM rolls around, we have davened Adon Olam to just about every tune possible. Yes, we are no longer in USY anymore, but our enthusiasm for prayer and song has definitely not diminished. Let’s discuss the newest addition to this outlet: the tish (which has quickly become one of my favorite traditions on Shabbat). Everyone who wants gathers around a table and gets to select a song that the whole group sings until our voices are sore. We sound pretty good if I do say so myself. So good in fact, that we have stared our very own Nativ a capella group, Kol Nativ.
This is just one of the many examples of things that Nativers take upon themselves to do while here in Jerusalem (J-lem). Nativ makes it really accessible to find that perfect intersection between structure and freedom. I’m part of the Hebrew University, Kibbutz tracks, which means that I’m on official college student. We are currently participating in what is known as the “minimester” which could not be a better way to transition into fall semester. My classes are intellectual, inviting, and sometimes pretty eccentric, but they all manage to make me feel a part of something a little bit bigger. Who knew that the Bible and Harry Potter had so much in common?
Staff understands what it means to be on our own for the first time and they give us trust in return for respect. Jerusalem is at our fingertips and there is so much available to us (believe it or not, Jerusalem has more streets than just Ben Yehuda). We have also had the chance to experience “open shabbas” where we have the choice of where to go to services and how to observe it. I’m by no means a religious person, but since I have arrived, I have been able to step out of my comfort zone and discover new Jewish qualities about myself. I have had the privilege of doing Kabbalat Shabbat at Yemin Moshe at sundown with my Kibbutz group, and at the Kotel with friends. I have been able to indulge in Saturday morning services at Shira Hadasha and hear some of the most beautiful melodies ever with a welcoming community of fellow Jews. Most recently, after purchasing four new volumes at our Machzorim sale, I made a lifelong sentimental investment to my Judaica Library.
Since the weather is also progressively getting cooler (seriously), we have gone on a hike through the Jerusalem hills (did I mention we walk everywhere?), eaten our fair share of Magnum Lavan’s (the most delicious ice cream), taken advantage of Gan Ha’atzmaut (nearby park) for an impromptu yoga class, had an unconventional guy named Mark run an Erev Nativ (Tuesday night programming) improv class, taken a trip to a nearby mall while by default figuring out how the bus system works in J-lem (aka get lost), gone to a street fair on Emek Refaim (nearby street), and of course done laundry and shared computer time(most important and quite the bonding experiences).
Even though I’m planning on exploring the rest of Israel throughout the year, getting to know Jerusalem is on the top of my to-do list. Beit Nativ (where we reside in J-lem) feels like it is at the center of our world because of its proximity to everything, but no matter where we go, it feels more like home every day. As my friend from back home pointed out, there is nothing insignificant about “just staying in J-lem.” I never want to take that for granted, but as one of my staff told me, “it’s obvious that I’m making aliyah.” I don’t know how soon that prospect will be fulfilled, but all I do know is that it’s going to take a while for me to get sick of the views and vistas that I’m seeing every day. I’m definitely proud to be a member of Nativ 29, here in the Land of Israel.

Stay tuned for New Year’s News! Shana Tova!