5 (months in). 3 (weeks left). 1 (memorable experience).

Call it the final stretch, call it the last hurrah, call it whatever you like but I'm calling it my last 3 weeks in Israel to live up my abroad experience. So instead of sitting in my room doing work, because obviously as any abroad student would have it - we get less than 10 hours of work a week during the actual semester and then when finals roll around, we get given more work than we've had this entire semester.
But with all work aside, since I feel as though I've finally adjusted to Israel, funny how that happens 5 months into my 5 month abroad experience, I've been trying to really understand what it means to be an Israeli citizen. It started on April 27, on Yom Ha'Shoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day. About a week earlier, I stood in the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in Oranienburg, Germany, one of the first concentration camps created during the time of the Holocaust. On the 27th at 10 AM, I stood as a Jewish American studying abroad in Israel, I had the opportunity to hear the National Siren in honor of Yom Ha'Shoah. I can't explain the feelings that came over me; emotion, pride and a love for Israel.

One week later, it's Erev Yom HaZikaron, The Day of Remembrance, where the state of Israel nationally honors its fallen soldiers. Some of the students of Tel Aviv University, along with our Madrichim (counselors) on the program organized a ceremony, full of speeches, songs and memories of fallen soldiers. This ceremony took me back to the time that myself and the rest of my edah at camp had learned about Michael Levin. An American and my connection to him, a Camp Ramah Poconos Alumni. And although I could never move to Israel, let alone join the army, I find it inspiring that this young American gave his life for Israel, we call him a "hero in heaven". After two somber days in Israel, it was time for some celebration, some love for this country I call my second home. Last night was the start of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day and Israel's birthday, Happy 66th!

We started the night with fireworks in Kikar Rabin and then later to the street parties on Rotschild! It was craaaaaaazzzyyyyy and so much fun! A perfect way to celebrate my last couple weeks here in Israel! The streets were filled with Americans, Israelis, Russians, French, I'm sure people from all over the world, showing their love and spirit for Israel. After a long 5 month semester, I feel privileged to have celebrated these three holidays in Israel and to have the opportunity to study in a place filled with citizens who love their country. אני אוהבת ישראל!