By Naama Cohen

Three times I have tried to start writing this speech. To combine all my thoughts and feelings to something that will make sense. Make sense in all this non- sense reality I'm currently in: two months ago I was working as usual- from 8 in the morning to 10 at night. A week ago I was working like crazy to get all the camp things done. Two days ago the new Rishonim came and we started training them towards their own year without us. Next week I'm home, in Israel, a few days later I'm already in the army.

There must be another way to measure time. If there is one thing that I've learned this year- is that time makes no sense. How could it be that a year ago I didn't know all these people I know now? How could it be that a year ago I didn't know what does it really mean- being jewish? How could it be that a year ago, 7 months ago, I didn't know this whole new part of my family?

Time shouldn't be measured by minutes- it should be measured by changes. By experiences. We do not grow day by day, we grow change by change. In every encounter we have with the outside world, with something new or different, we reveal, or we create, another layer of our own selves. We discover a whole new point of view, a whole new side of us we didn't know existed.

This experience has taught me so much. So much about myself, and so much about the world around me.

I have learned that every person you meet has a lesson to teach you. Sometimes it's not even the person- it's the meeting itself.

I have learned that children have much more to teach us than adults. Through their eyes you can really see the truth- all they see and say is truth, even when it's not pleasant.

I have learned the meaning of this vague definition- being Jewish. What seems so obvious in Israel- becomes so relevant here. I've learned that Judaism is not just a religion, it's tradition. It's history and roots, it's a source to grow from, it's a really big family filled with warm good Jewish mothers that surround you with love and unity.  It's such an amazing force that can never be defeated.

I have learned how it is to be an adult, independent and responsible- and I still had the privilege of falling and let someone else handle my consequences.

I have learned that the thing that makes us so strong, is something that we have in common with all the living things- we can adjust. People can adapt themselves to every situation and every society. I've learned how to adjust myself to every workplace and every family, without losing my own personality.

I have learned the importance of Israel- to the Jewish nation- as a home, as a shelter, as a source of proud, as a wonder. I have learned how unique our country is- so small and young that like an ant carries and work hard to sustain an aged, magnificent nation.  I also learned the importance of Israel to me- the only place I can live in, the only place to raise my own family.

I've learned how important and not obvious my family is- the one at home that always gave support in every possible way and never let me down, was there for me in my amazingly happy moments as well as in my difficult moments, the family that made me the person I am to make this kind of year. And also my families here that made me belong, created a "home away from home", and treated me as their own.

I have learned that what keeps me going forward and what gives me strength in life, what creates who I am, my _reasons - are exactly these things: my families, Israel, my Jewish identity, and children.

I want to say to all of you- Thank you. Thank you for letting me, us, to come here and to go through this amazing experience. It has been a pleasure  and made a huge impact on our lives.

I hope, and I believe that we have also made an impact, and that we have accomplished what we wanted for this year. I'm very proud to say that if I'd start all over again I would do almost everything the same way!

I want to thank Liz for all your help this year,
Justine for your caring and concern,
Orli for being another mother- 24/7,
and Yaakov for, well, for just everything.

Tal and Aviv- I think it's the first time for being serious with each other- toda for being such amazing partners for this year and for being there for me when I needed.

There's an Israeli band named Machina that has a line in a song: "it's not over, it is just the end."

If you are here today, it means you were an integral part of my year here. I really hope to keep in touch.

I wish the best luck to all of you and especially to the new rishonim. You already look great, I'm sure you'll have the best time here.

LOVE, Shalom, Toda
Naama