This is the fifth installment of our “My Israel Story” series. All week, we’ll be sharing personal photos and stories from our staff about their connection to Israel in honor of Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) on May 10-12. We look forward to sharing even more of our Israel stories and experiences this summer at camp!

“Israel, to me, is a place I have a lot of love for – both for people residing there and also for what it represents to me and others. Coming to camp in 2011, I did not know anything about Judaism. Throughout the years, I found my footing as a person with Judaism. Israel spoke to me with its culture, its history, and its people. The fact that so many people loved this one place intrigued me – I had to visit and see to myself. The beauty of the buildings and landscape are a hidden gem that everyone needs to visit and witness personally. The news in Britain only shows the negatives of a country at war. There is so much more in Israel, and it should be celebrated and honoured, not only known for the negatives. The best way to understand all of this is to visit the Holy Land for yourself.”

For more information about opportunities to travel to Israel, check out our Eisner/NFTY Israel trip or URJ Kesher: Birthright Israel