Kate is a student at Ohio State University and is the new Co-chairperson of this year's College Campaign.

This summer I was privileged enough to fulfill a life long passion and dream; I traveled to Israel. The experience was beyond words in many ways and I learned an unbelievable amount about a land that I had always felt a connection to. Having always dreamed of making the journey, I thought that I knew exactly what to expect. I was surprised, however, when I found myself not only feeling a tie to the land of Israel, but also to the people.

Israel, much like the United States consists of a multitude of different people existing together. Even within the Jewish population the diversity is amazing. There are Jews in Israel spanning the whole spectrum of observance, Jews from all over the world and Jews of all different backgrounds. Yet, despite how different everyone is, and how different I am from so many of them, I felt connected to each Jew in Israel. As I reflect on this feeling, I think that the connection is there because the Jews in Israel like me and other Jews around the world, feel a connection to the land and a pull to return to it.

Out of all the places in Israel, I felt the deepest connection to the Jews of Israel in Bet Shean. Although my trip was only in Bet Shean for two days, it was there that I was really able to form connections with Israelis. On our first day in Bet Shean our trip held a carnival for underprivileged children. Going into the activity I was very excited because I very much enjoy children and working with them. Once the carnival got going I loved it even more than I thought I would. I was able to use my new Hebrew skills to talk with the children. They were very patient with my Hebrew and all the girls were so sweet as they helped me through our conversation. Then, that evening I was able to feel like a part of a normal Israel family as I was treated to a family dinner on a kibbutz. The family treated me like one of their daughters and I felt like I was really a part of everyday Israeli society.

Although I was only in Bet Shean for a small amount of time, the imprint that the people of Bet Shean made on me will last forever. When I now hear news from Israel I feel not only for the land, but for the people. I no longer just feel a pull to the land but also a pull toward Israelis themselves.