This is a speech that Shane and I wrote for the Israeli’s ceremony that they had Sunday. The first part of the the speech was written by me (Eli) and the second part was written by Shane…. Enjoy
Shane and I don’t really come from areas will a lot of Jews in them. We live 30-45 minutes away from Akiva and from the rest of our friends in this program. I guess you could say that exposure to other Jewish teens and especially to Israelis is little to none. That has been what has made this program great for the both of us. We have both been exposed to new food, new culture, and new people. It started with the Shin Shinem that stayed the year in America that started my understanding of what Israelis are like. I enjoyed the time i spent getting to know each one of them. Then for a week in March I got to know what Israelis are truly like. I knew from the moment I walked in on the first day that the Israelis were in Cleveland that I was going to be able to relate to them. After only a few minutes I realized that these people are just like me and that they are nice genuine people. Getting to know each Israeli made me more and more excited to come here. This is my first time in Israel. I had been looking forward to visiting Beit She’an since the day they left Cleveland. On behalf of all of the teens from Cleveland thank you for the kind hospitality you have showed to us all.
Meeting the Israelis has been an amazing experience.I go to brecksville high school and even though the students are very kind and open to all religions, it doesn’t cover up the fact that there are only 3 jews in my school, including me. I should also mention that the other two jews don’t go to a temple or practice much, only their mother is jewish. So, by no means has going to a public school, not on the east side, benefited me with my religion. I have gained knowledge on a completely new culture and a different life style by staying with Guy. What makes meeting Israelis even more meaningful to me is that I have had fun with them and have enjoyed learning new things. The hospitality of the Israelis is on another level compared to people from the United States. I never had any needs that weren’t met and have never felt uncomfortable. I was even able to get along with my host’s two younger siblings even though they don’t speak english, and I don’t speak hebrew. If you come to Israel and stay with an Israeli you will truly see the different culture and different lifestyle that there is here in Israel.