OTZMA: My career path

OTZMA was the best decision I ever made in my life. In the summer of 2008 I was feeling lost and without direction. I was about to enter into my final year at Michigan State University and I had NO idea what I wanted to do with my life. I knew that I didn't want to be a speech pathologist even though I had already spent 4 years studying to do so. That summer I took a job working with Young Judaea as a staff member on their summer trip to Israel for High School students. While in Israel I ran into someone I sort of knew from Michigan State and asked him what he was doing in Israel. He started telling me all about this incredible year he had just spent on OTZMA. As soon as he started telling me about this program I knew I wanted to be a part of it. When I came home that summer my mind was made up I was doing OTZMA.

I was so excited when I was finally accepted into the program but I had no idea how much it would change my life. I had spent a lot of time visiting Israel and doing all the touristy things but I had no idea what it meant to live in Israel. Through my time in Israel I experienced many life changing moments, from tutoring High School students, in English to spending time with my adoptive family and really feeling part of the family. Through my volunteering and amazing educational opportunities on OTZMA I came to the realization that I wanted to work in the Jewish community. A few months after my return from Israel and I was doing just that working at the Jewish Federations of North America.

My year on OTZMA I learned things about myself and Israel that I would never learn anywhere else. I am proud to say that OTZMA gave me direction in life and I am forever grateful.