Am Yisrael: a nation, a people, a heritage.

The contemporary definition
Made possible by sheer volition
Differs drastically from long ago
The Jewish people having long since grown.

As worldly complications and the passage of time
Spread Am Yisrael far and wide
There was born a new paradigm
Jews and gentiles side by side.

With the creation of the Jewish state
Established in 1948
Mounting tensions rose and fell
Revolving around Eretz Yisrael1.

What it meant then, to be a part of the whole
Passed all the way down since Abraham of old
A people united under Moshe Rabbeinu2
Who told us to worship one God, Aleinu3.

Nowadays, for Jews in the diaspora
Israel has become their source of pride
Standing up tall as they read from the Torah
Never again to run or hide.

After two thousand years of painful endurance
In my heart I know at least
Am Yisrael will never fall
The iron dwarf of the Middle East.

That is what it means
To be a member of the Hebrews
Pay no heed to blood or genes
For if you truly believe in a nation of Jews
Then you're part of Am Yisrael to me.

1:The land of Israel

2: Moses our teacher
3: It is our duty

I belong to Temple Sinai in Washington DC. Sinai is a reform congregation, but all-accepting. It provides various programs, opportunities, jobs, and classes to youth and adults alike, and is very involved with Israel. There is always a seminar or conference of some sort going on in the social hall, and the two prayer spaces offer different types of services every week.

There is also a religious Sunday school, which I have the pleasure of working at. I have taught 2nd and 3rd graders for the past 3 years every Sunday, working as a teacher's assistant and lesson planner, and I have come to love my job. Throughout the day we learn about morals of the Torah, go to music class, do a group activity pertaining to the day's Torah story, say the blessings for challah and grape juice, and have a discussion or read a story at the end. This is how I stay connected and give back to my Jewish community. I opted out of our temple's youth group after one year, and did not connect to any program until religious school was recommended to me. I had done it as a child, and it was time to reverse the roles and teach, but along the way I have learned more than I could have imagined.

Hiking from sea to sea was my absolute favorite trip on EIE. Starting at the Kinneret with a hike through a river, and ending 4 days later with a dip in the Mediterranean was one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever felt. The hiking was extraordinary, the views incredible. Biking on the last day was a relief to all the walking, and the feel of the wind on my face all the way to the sea was inexplicable. It took my mind off the fact that I have less than a month left here. Yam el Yam was a success, and now I am ready to make the most out of what feels like no time at all.