We started the day by checking out of the hotel, which we were all happy to do since we did not like the hotel we were staying in. We then got on the bus and said goodbye to Jerusalem one last time with some songs about the city itself and home as we drove out of the city towards Tel Aviv. We sang some songs on our way, including our favorite-the Titanic song, which is a parody about the Titanic that Matan taught us.
When we arrived in Tel Aviv we took a short Aroma coffee and bathroom break before walking to another shuk. This shuk was probably the busiest one yet and my favorite. There was everything from food to jewelry to practical every day tools (like forks) to souvenirs. There really was something for everyone.
After having some free time walking around there a lot of us met at Pasta Basta for lunch. Pasta Basta is this amazing fast food pasta place that needs to come to the US. Pretty much imagine a fast food style Olive Garden or high quality Noodles and Company. I got Rottadore pasta with a Roasted Red Peppers and Tomatoes sauce and sweet potatoes and it was so good.
After eating, we all headed over to a nearby park where we started our concluding (😢) activities where we all kept our eyes closed except for 5 people at a time. We were then told a statement and those with their eyes open had to tap someone who we thought fit this statement, for example someone that inspires us. This was a great activity to know how you impacted others without having any clear that you did, even if it was frustrating that you didn't know who tapped you. The. We did something similar but with our eyes open where we had to hug someone who ____. Eventually we all hugged Alona, Lauren, Raz, and Matan as a whole group to thank them for being such amazing staff.
We then walked to the Taglit Innovation Center. This stock exchange and high tech area was really interesting. The area we went to was created by Taglit Birthright to show participants as well as business men and other people the amazing things Israel has to offer beyond the history of the Jewish people.
The exhibition we were in was an interactive site to see and hear about technology created in Israel. The most interesting innovation to me was the Orcam that allowed people with visual disabilities to simply point at something and have it read or identified for them.
After this we listened to the founder of the startup B Kind which is a company that sells cards used to start a chain of kindness that can be shared online through a social network format. It was really interesting and then we were given card to start our own chains of kindness.
Then we took the bus to a local hotel and used an empty multipurpose room as a place to have our closing remarks. Here we went around the circle and everyone had a chance to speak about their experience on the trip. A lot of people said they were nervous to come since they knew very few or no people coming in to the trip. Now however everyone seems to have grown close and was very accepting and willing to help each other group as people and Jews. Something I also added was directed at Matan. I said "I have wanted to come to Israel as long as I can remember and I was honestly a bit concerned it wouldn't live up to what I expected. But the country far surpassed my expectations and a big part of that was the way Matan taught us and expressed his love for his country while presenting it as ours to us. I can't thank him enough for his and all he taught me and made me realize on the trip. Thank you Matan.
After this, we went back to the bus to go to our farewell dinner. On the bus I presented Matan with a gift we had all bought him at the Shuk earlier that day, a painting of all the Marvel characters sitting on a construction beam in NYC. He had told us the day before how much he loved it and how he sent a picture of it to his wife saying he wanted it. So when we saw it again we had to get it and I think he really appreciated it. I hope he also realizes how much we all appreciated him. Ilene also presented cards to him, Lauren, Alona, and Raz signed by all of us.
Then we got to dinner where we had delicious pita bread, fries, and chicken kebabs. Then we sadly headed to the airport where we had to say good bye to Matan. While bittersweet since we were going home we were in a way also leaving home.
We then went through all of security and boarded the plane and here we are now in the air. Next stop Brussels and then JFK.
Shalom!
Laura
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