It's all starting to hit me!

Finally! It's finally here! I am finally an official Israeli citizen proven by my long awaited Israeli Passport! It's just an incredible feeling; it's one step further in my journey to becoming an Israeli fighting for the Jewish nation. I may not be "Israeli" just yet, so to speak, although I do feel Israeli. And what exactly does that feel like? Well this part of my journey couldn't have come at a more perfect time. This past week I've been longing to experience the indescribable emotions that a proud Zionist/Jew feels in Israel during Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut - as if my soul is parched, yearning to breathe the Zionism and wonder of Israel. Experiencing this week in Israel is the defining characteristic of Israel. Anywhere in the world you can fast on Yom Kippur, anywhere can you find matzah for Pesah, but NOWHERE will you find an entire country stop for two minutes to respect our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, friends, and heroes that have fallen to protect our homeland. Nowhere will you see cars speeding on a freeway slow to a halt, banks stop their transactions, or buses stop in their tracks so people can stand in the streets while a siren plays all across the country to remember our fallen comrades. That's what it means to feel Israeli - to embody Israel. Earlier today I was listening to Galgalatz and heard the siren sound for 2 minutes right at 20:00 Israeli time.

That siren sent my thoughts into a whirlwind of directions. Although I don't know anyone that was killed in battle, which is really blessing, I feel incredibly gifted to be able to join the IDF this coming fall and carry on the passion for Israel that these soldiers carried. The idea of moving to Israel makes me feel like a חלוץ leaving my home and established lifestyle to carry on the dream that connects every single Jew around the world. We recite the words "next year in Jerusalem" every Passover.This Pesach was especially meaningful for me as you could guess. As the words "השנה הבאה בירושלים" left my lips I felt incredibly empowered that I am able to make this journey just as my grandmother and grandfather courageously did at my age. At my seder I spoke of the need to unite as Jews in order to rise up and fight those who want to remove us from the map. I spoke how vital it is that we don't take our freedom for granted, especially as Jews.

That siren brought me back 3 years when I was in Israel standing before the Kotel surrounded by good looking, brave young men and women in that seductive olive green uniform wearing the three words on their chest that protect Israel and promise every Jew a flourishing and welcoming home: צבא הגנה לישראל. Watching the president speak in front of the kotel, the symbol that kept us fighting for Zion until proven successful in 1967, made me appreciate the indescribable nation I was born into: a nation of fighters, innovators, and zealots.  I couldn't be more excited to join my forefathers in ensuring that עם ישראל חי! I am proud to call myself a Jew and a Zionist. My decision to make Aliyah is partly due to how hard it is to watch the young Jewish nation's history unfold before my eyes as a kid. I want to immerse myself into the rich culture and be a part of it's history.

That siren took me forward 4 months when I will be saying goodbye to my friends, my home, and hardest of all my beloved parents. I will be starting a new life, facing many challenges and making many new friends. The life experiences I will carry with me will be endless and the pride and joy will forever lay in my heart. This november baruch hasem I will be drafted in the IDF. As of now I can say that I will die a happy soul knowing I made my lifelong dream come true. I have never been so excited, emotional, or anxious to embark on a journey to accomplishing my dream. The truth is that it's coming so quickly and everything's getting pretty chaotic. I am happy to spend this summer at home enjoying every second I have to spend with my incredible family.

This past weekend I was on a retreat spending the weekend with some 20 other inspiring young souls moving to Israel with me. I couldn't be more excited to become great friends with these incredible kids. It's incredible how short of time we've known each other and how well we all get along, how open we are with each other, and how much we already care for each other. This is the type of community I love. Besides this group of friends I have to look forward to in Israel, I am also incredibly lucky to have my very own brother living there along side me. I know he will be there every step of the way to help me out and I couldn't feel more grateful. I look forward to seeing him at my graduation ceremonies congratulating me, as I will be there for him supporting him as he become a Doctor of Medicine from Tel Aviv U about the same time I will be discharged from the army! I am so happy for him, experiencing and appreciating the meaning of Israel first hand just as I did 3 years ago.

Well that's enough for now, though I can go on forever. Really, I can't stop thinking about it. Gosh if I wasn't to go now to Israel I think my thoughts would tear me apart.

Elan.

P.S. I'm doing what it takes to get into the unit I want to. As of now it's 669 - Commando Search and Rescue

P.P.S. I designed our group's shirts! What do you think?

A close up