My name is Evan and I was raised in Dallas, Texas. During my four years at Texas A&M, I was encouraged to participate in Birthright, but never applied. Senior year, I experienced a desire to visit the land of Israel. I spoke with Rabbi Yossi about the Taglit-Birthright trip with Mayanot (one of the major birthright providers) and he was extremely helpful, addressing all of my questions and concerns.
After my trip in Israel, my friends back home asked, “what did you do?” I responded, “what didn’t we do!” My visit to Israel was a whirlwind of thrills and new experiences. My favorite part of Birthright was our encounter with the Israeli soldiers. We bonded with the soldiers and gained an understanding of how they think. Their military service gives you a true appreciation for how important the State of Israel is to them and to all Jewish people in the world.
Birthright was life changing. Not only was I able to experience the true beauty of Israel and connect with its people, but I was also able to reconnect with my own Judaism. Experiencing Israel not only makes for an exciting vacation, but also helps you to appreciate the miracle of Israel’s existence today.
For those of you who are contemplating birthright, I strongly encourage you to apply. But don’t go until you’re ready, because it’s an experience that should be wholeheartedly embraced. This is the way I did my birthright experience and it far exceeded my expectations.
www.MayanotIsrael.com #MayanotIsrael