Life altering experience

It has now been 16 (!) years since my Otzma year and it is an experience I talk about and draw upon frequently. It was a truly unique opporutnity to experience, at least on some level what actual day to day life is like in a country that gets sensationalized and often demonized. To live and work among Isrealis, learn the language and get an in depth look into social and political struggles they face has impacted my view and understanding of Israel. Professionally the experience exposed me to a model of service learning and a field I have worked in for the past decade. On a personal level, the friendships I made are some of the most important in my life, especially since I now share my life and family with a fellow participant.

I only hope that my daughters are one day able to have an expeirence like this.