I was part of the incredible Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship — a 10-week business internship in Israel in June and July of 2015. My most memorable experience during the summer was during our weekend in the north that we spent at Kibbutz Shahar Hagolan. This weekend encapsulated so much of what is amazing about Israel and the Taglit-Birthright Israel program – we kayaked in the Jordan River, ate lunch in a Druze village, toured the mystical city of Tzfat, and hiked in the Golan Height. What stands out most from that jam packed weekend, was sitting under the stars late into the evening on Shabbat bonding with our North American and Israeli peers.

Joining the Young Leadership Council is an opportunity for me to stay connected to the Birthright Israel community and give back to the program. I believe there is no better way to learn about Israel than experiencing it first-hand and the Birthright Israel program has developed an experience that enables its participants to connect with Israel and each other in such a unique way. On a personal level, my experience allowed me to build lasting relationships and opened doors professionally that I am extremely grateful for, and I am thrilled to help ensure that others can have their own unique experience.