Kia - Beit Shean Experience:

Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone and blindly going into what was hoped to be a life changing experience, was a task we all had to face. Arriving at Beit Shean we all nervously anticipated the main focus of the Diller trip, the partnership with the Israelis. All of us are so different, each with our own worries about the adventure we were about to embark on. Personally I take a long time to become comfortable with people I don't know. I am introverted and it takes me a long time to adjust to new situations; so going into a stranger's house with a totally different lifestyle than my own, and being expected to feel like part of the "family" was a scary thought.

When I entered the house I was welcomed by warm hugs and cute signs. I immediately felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. They were the friendliest family and they welcomed me into their home which was all I could have asked for. In my head I still knew this was not ever going to be my family and I would never feel totally comfortable.

They took so much pride in their beautiful Kibbutz Ein Hanatziv. I got a tour of the cows, peacocks, fresh springs and the market. Ofir showed me her favorite places and filled me in on a whole new way of living. We had a surprise party for her mother on Shabbat and all of Ofir's siblings and their families came. I was able to experience an Orthodox Shabbat which I have never done. All of my life I have seen the orthodox in a provincial way, but the warmth and comfort I felt shattered all of my stereotypes. We had a long family dinner where her relatives tried speaking with me in English. Their efforts were a kind gesture that made me feel as if my presence at their Shabbat was appreciated. Shabbat with this family felt so natural as did all of the activities that week. Ofir and her family were so accepting and welcomed me with open arms. I did not realize how at home I felt until I walked out their front steps, suitcase in hand, after 5 great days. I felt as if I was leaving my home and my family, which I never thought I'd be able to feel.
 
Rachel Marek,:
 
Shabbat with my host family, the Ben Haims, was amazing. After being in Bet She'an for a few days and starting to get to know Rotem and her family, this was the time that I truly had a chance to spend time with just them. Starting from when her brother, Shalev, came home from the army and picked us up from the activity we were at with Diller, I began to feel at home as everyone started to relax and just get comfortable. After naps, showers, and lots of preparation it was time for Shabbat dinner. Sitting down with Rotem's entire family, her mom, dad, sister, and brother, really started to make me feel like I was at home. When the blessings were said, I felt like part of the family. Afterwards, a delicious Moroccan meal was brought out. I had tried foods that I had never even heard of before and it was so good! During the meal I always felt in the conversation, as things were translated into English for me and things I said back into Hebrew. It really was a warm and loving meal, which welcomed me right into their family.

The next day, on Saturday morning, after sleeping in a little, Rotem's family took me to the Kineret. We stopped at the old police and train station of Bet She'an and had a picnic for breakfast, on the way to the Kineret. As we were driving I felt at home, like a road trip with my own family. We stopped on top of the one of the mountains in the Golan Heights and were able to see the most amazing view of the Kineret. As we kept on driving, everyone told me the history of these places where we stopped. Everywhere we went I was put into pictures with the whole family, just like a new family portrait.  Finally we arrived at a beach and had fun lying in the sun and had another picnic for lunch. I felt at home. I felt like I knew this family and that I was part of it. I hope that someday I will have the chance to travel back to Israel and come to Bet She'an and be able to spend even more time with the family that I spent an amazing five days with.
 
December 22