Am Yisrael Chai! Two months left!

Hello Y'all! In case you do not already know, I am Haley Scherr and I'm Jewish. As a 23 year old from Central Florida, I love to travel and see the world. I had always wanted to see where my family, culture, and religion is from. I guess you can say that I am more spiritual than religious, although I practically grew up in synagogue. I had a Bat Mitzvah at 13, and I was Confirmed into Judaism at age 16. I love celebrating the Jewish holidays. My top three holidays are Purim (I love to act and this is a fun time to show off my skills), Passover (the story of Moses and freeing my people, Jews!), and lastly, I love Hanukkah! I love lighting candles and playing driedel with my family. I am very family orientated. Family means everything to me. I knew one day, I would go to the Holy Land, Israel.

Julia holding the Israeli flag in Jerusalem

The first time that I came to Israel, it was on birthright (see picture below). It was such a life changing experience. I met so many wonderful and smart young adults. I had a fun time exploring Israel with other young Jews. We really did become a family by the end of the 10 days.

Birthright Israel:Ezra World July 2012

Standing on a rock formation watching the sunset

After going to Israel the first time, I knew that I had to go back...and soon! Two years later I signed up to study abroad with Florida State University's International Programs. The only place that I could go for my major was Israel. I was so excited to be able to go back! Check out this link to the blog I wrote about my Study Abroad Experience. I met some icredible and smart people who I know will go far in life. I made friends who I know I can count on when I need them to be there.

Study Abroad Israel 2014 at the Dead Sea

 Probably the coolest part of my study abroad journey was going to Petra in Jordan.

Spelling out FSU CRIM in Petra, Jordan

Hanging off of  cliff in Jordan

After coming to Israel twice, I knew that I had to find a way to go back. I was scrolling through Facebook and found Israel Experience. Israel Experience works with MASA to help Jewish people from around the world to come to Israel for various means. I found, through Israel Experience, Career Israel. Career Israel helps young Jews that have finished college, find post-graduate internships in Israel. I am proud to be a member of Career Israel 19! There are about 80 or so of us who are on the .program. I arrived in Israel on August 31^st, 2015.

Arriving at MCO airport in Orlando, Florida

 I have made so many friends so far. Here is a highlight of some of my closest friends on this trip.

Nathan Pink

Nathan Pink is 26 years old and from Nova Scotia, Canada. He is currently interning at the Yafo Institute working with young kids. He loves to work with kids. Back home he works at a daycare and over the summer he works at a Jewish Summer Camp. Nathan and I became really close. We pretty much see each other every day. We love to do silly things and laugh, a lot. He is my BFFL (Best Friend For Life). I don't know what I would do without him.

Nathan not wanting to pick olives

 Chanah Schnoll

My Chanah Banana! Chanah is 22 years of age and is from Long Island, NY, USA. Chanah just finished college at CUNY and is still trying to figure out what she is doing in life (like all of us). Chanah is also an Orthodox Jew. She keeps the Sabbath and is kosher. I have never had a friend like her. I have learned so much about what it means to be kosher. Together, we have a ton of fun adventures. We got lost in Haifa once, it was fun! We hang out as much as we can. We have girl's nights, and we always find some new adventure to explore! I'm so glad I found my Yin to my Yang!

Chanah and I in one of those cut out photo scenes

Rachel Berger-Hart

Rachel is from NY, USA. She is 22 years old. She just finished college at Clark. After the program, Rachel wants to go to Grad school and become a therapist. She is interning at the Psychology department at Tel Aviv University. She has a lot of family and family friends in Israel, so she is usually over at their houses on the weekends. But when I do see her, we get sushi, talk about boys, laugh, and talk about pasta basta. I can always count on Rachel. We are even known as "cousins" by some. When we are together, it's non-stop laughing. It heals the soul! 

Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv

Mariel Golden

Mariel is from Vermont and is 22 years old. She just graduated from UVM. She used to travel the world for competitive debate. After the program, Mariel wasnt to study the hebrew language and then go to Grad school. Mariel has a heart of gold. She is someone who I know I can go to for advice. Everyone needs a friend like Mariel. When we are together, we laugh and talk about boys. Ya know, typical girl stuff. 

Mariel by graffiti in Tel Aviv

The next person I want to introduce left the program early. She was my original roommate right when I got to Tel Aviv. She was like another mom. When I was sick, she took care of me. She would always look after everyone. It was sad to see her leave but she had to go back home for personal reasons. This person is Alona Vorobyov. 

ALONA WE MISS YOU!! COME BACK!!!!!!!

Trips!!

With Career Israel, I have had opportunity to participate in some lectures and trips throughout Israel.

We went to NATAL, a trauma center. It was really interesting. They help with PTSD and other traumas whenever someone needs help.

NATAL Trauma Center

We went to the Kotel. We even went in the Kotel Tunnels. It was so cool to see the Kotel from a different perspective.

A group of us by the Kotel in Jerusalem

North Trip!!

Check out my north blog trip post for information on the north trip.

http://mylifeinterningabroad.blogspot.com/2015/10/north-trip-and-more.html

After picking olives, Chanah made a crown out of the olive leaves.

The group near the Kinneret. Aren't we all cute?

 Yafo!

My Favorite City! If I were to move to Israel, I would move to old Yafo. It's rich i history (I guess all of Israel is) and it's 

Goldi's group in Yafo

 West Bank!

We went to the West Bank one day. We went to a winery and an archaeological site. It was cool to see the places that our ancestors came from and to see where Judaism started. 

A group sitting outside an archaeological site in the West Bank

Holidays!!

Selichot, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashana, and Sukkot

http://mylifeinterningabroad.blogspot.com/2015/09/week-3-in-israel.html

http://mylifeinterningabroad.blogspot.com/2015/09/week-4.html

Selichot service at the western wall

Celebrating Sukkot in the Sukkah

Other Interesting Stuff!!

My favorite thing to do here in Tel Aviv is to watch the sunset. They are always so beautiful. Here are just a few of them:

More Stuff <3

My drink came in a boot

Hiked to a river then a waterfall

Rafting down the Jordan River

Well, now I have 2 months left, I can't wait for some more adventures. I'm excited for the south trip in December. I am also trying to plan trips to the Dead Sea and Eilat. I hope that I get to go to these places with my friends and make even more memories. 

Week 9 and 10: Living in Tel Aviv

Hello Y'all!!!!
Sorry it is late. Blame laziness to actually sit down and write. Some of it will be vague but you'll get the jest.

Simple Plan Saturday: Beach day! I love the Beach!

Shinedown Sunday: I went back to Jerusalem and finished packing up my stuff to move.

Mayday Parade Monday: Masa event! Today I moved back to Tel Aviv after the Masa Event. At the Masa event, Prime Minister "Bibi" Netanyahu spoke to us. It was really cool. Other than that, the event wasn't that interesting.

Taylor Swift Tuesday: Settled into Tel Aviv life. I love that the mall is like 5 steps away and that the beach is in walking distance.

We Are The In Crowd Wednesday: I had an interview and I didn't really like the place. It wasn't what I wanted. So we decided to look into other options. Also, the weather was horrible!!! Ugh! Rain!

Three Days Grace Thursday: Museum day! Chanah, Alona, and I went to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art! It was really cool! I really enjoyed it. I love art!

Foo Fighters Friday: Halloween Party! I went as Little Dead Riding Hood! I had a blast! Everyone's costumes were awesome! Loved them all!

Sweden Saturday: Today I got to hear former President Clinton talk about Yitzak Rabin. Rabin was assassinated while Clinton was in office and they were friends. Apparently, unlike most Americans, Israelis really like Clinton. Afterwards, we got amazing waffles from Waffle Bar.


Switzerland Sunday: Chanah and I went to this park where we went through the jungle I mean Tropical Garden. It was cool but we came back bitten by so many mosquitoes. Then we went paddle boating and it was fun. We also played on the playground for a bit then went back to our apartments. That night, I cooked some pasta and had a little family dinner in my room. It was nice.

Monaco Monday: I organized my room today. I love the way I have it!

Taiwan Tuesday: I did chores and stuff today. Very boring.

Welp, No Country With A W Wednesday: My half bday! haha! Movie night with Nathan! We watched Pitch Perfect! Love it! We laughed a lot. Nathan is really funny. We also learned that Haley can't make rice haha.

Thailand Thursday: I got sushi with Rachel for dinner and at night Chanah, Mariel, and I went and got ice cream and chilled. It was nice.

Finland Friday: I was dizzy all day so I slept. But at night, Nathan came with me to get some fresh air and some food. It helped.

Have a great week!!!!