So, Why Israel?
My plans to move to ישראל/Israel came to fruition over a year ago, when I came to the realization that it was nearly impossible for me to be able to delve into exploring my Jewish identity in the ways I wanted to from America. As a teenager, I struggled to find Jewish community in Minnesota until I joined NFTY (The Northern Federation of Temple Youth) where I made Jewish friends who are some of my closest friends to this day. While in college at The University of Kansas, my Jewish network expanded as I became heavily involved in Hillel and Chabad as a student and passionate Jewish leader. I finally had a group of people with whom I could be my truest self. I could finally share the most important parts of my life with like-minded individuals who were just as excited about Jewish tradition and teachings as I was!
I am a Zionist with a deep seeded love and passion for ישראל/Israel. This past December, I traveled to ישראל/Israel to spend time with my boyfriend, Daniel, prior to his enlistment into the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) and to participate in a Livnot U'Lehibanot Northern Exposure Program, where I spent the eight days of Hanukkah hiking through the mountains of Tzfat, studying Jewish teachings and Kaballah, and learning and celebrating along side three incredible Americans and five inspiring Israelis. After Livnot, I staffed CU Boulder Hillel's 10-day Winter Birthright trip, comprised of 32 college students and seven Israeli soldiers. We traveled nearly the entire country in 10 days, allowing me to see and remember every detail of all that I love about this country. When I first arrived in ישראל/Israel last December, I was overwhelmed with joy. I spent a little over a month falling in love with ישראל/Israel all over again since being here for the first time on Birthright through KU Hillel in 2015. The entirety of December and half of January was dedicated soaking up as much of this beautiful country as I could, knowing very well that I couldn't stay away for long!
As noted earlier, my move to ישראל/Israel has been in the works for some time now. I could feel myself taking deeper breaths and slower steps while walking through Jerusalem, Tzfat, Tel Aviv, and everywhere in between. The truth is, I wanted time to slow down so I didn't have to leave yet. It's hard to explain to those who haven't been to ישראל/Israel (yet), but it's like leaving your Grandma's house that's full of the best home-cooked meals you've ever had and returning home to an empty fridge. I felt empty when I returned to the states, and I knew that in order to have a full belly again (yes, I'm really sticking with this analogy) I had to return to ישראל/Israel as quickly as possible.
Six months later and here I am, sitting in my בידוד/bidud (quarantine) apartment, awaiting September 8th, when I can (safely, with a mask on) go out into my new city and explore the beaches and streets, and visit with Daniel and all of the amazing people I know here! I understand that while an overwhelming majority of my friends and family members are extremely supportive of my move and journey (thank you, I love you all so much), some people may be confused why I felt the dire need to move across the world to a place that historically has so much controversy in hopes of finding more of myself and exploring my purpose. Well, my friends, that is the big question. In the next year, I will try my best to explain the answer as I search for and learn it myself. I am so thankful that my dream became a reality, the State of Israel is truly magical. עם ישראל חי/Am Yisrael chai! (The people of Israel live!)
XO, Jules
Tzfat, Israel - Rooftop of Livnot U'Lehibanot
