An American Jew In Israel

It’s hard to describe the feeling of coming home to Israel for the first time.

The feeling of exhaling after holding my breath and taking in the air of our homeland, with all of its strength and resilience and hope.

The feeling of pride that can hardly be contained, the voice inside my head screaming, “I am a Jew! I am home!”

The feeling of safety among my people, knowing that each of them would give their life to protect mine and all of the Jewish people and our beautiful land.

The feeling of connection to my strong and resilient sisters in Israel, my long lost family, weeping together and releasing a bit of the pain of the last two years, and indeed, a lifetime.

Meeting my penpal Israeli mother at the Western Wall for the first, after writing to each other for two years, as part of Momentum’s Mother 2 Mother program.

The feeling of strength, recognizing that we are a nation of powerful warriors who live and breathe the words "never again".

The feeling of wholeness, realizing that we are one, we are not alone, and we are all in this profound journey together.

The feeling of hope, looking around at Jewish teenagers on Ben Yehuda Street wearing their yarmulkes proudly and freely, without risk or fear.

The feeling of humility at the Kotel, the Western Wall, pouring out my praise and fears and hopes to the Almighty through quivering lips.

The feeling of resilience, hearing the words of inspiring mothers of hostages and wounded soldiers who truly exemplify "Am Yisrael Chai!" 

The feeling of joy, pure and sweet like Israeli honey, as we sing and dance to the songs and ancient prayers of our people.

The feeling of thankfulness, to my Israeli brothers and sisters for protecting our homeland with their lives, and to God for finally bringing me home.

And above all else, the feeling of truly awakening my weary Jewish soul.

How do I hold onto this beautiful awakening of my Jewish soul while presented with the challenges facing an American Jew? How can I possibly have the same feelings of hope, resilience, and joy in a world so different from my homeland?

Like my brothers and sisters across the world, and my ancestors who came before me, I am determined.

Determined to hold onto my feelings of pride by displaying my Israeli flag on my home and proudly wearing my Star of David around my neck.

Determined to bring the joy of Judaism into my home by celebrating Shabbat each week with my family, and inviting neighbors and friends to join us.

Determined to stay connected to my beautiful new family in Israel by keeping in touch and planning my next trip with my family.

Determined to hold onto the connection I felt to God at the Kotel by praying as often as I can in my own perfectly imperfect way.

Determined to instill in my children the delight in mitzvot like baking challah together, singing around the Shabbat table, and dancing with the Torah.

Determined to deepen my connection to my Jewish community here in the U.S. by attending Jewish events and continuing to flame the spark of growth ignited in Israel.

And above all else, determined not to let my Jewish soul go quiet again.