By Elyse Miller, Kefiada Volunteer, Atlanta

All nine of us from both St. Lousi and Atlanta have been placed with an host family during the time period that we are staying in Yokneam. Some of us have two host famlies while others are staying with just one. My personal host family experience has been truly amazing. I was welcomed into Nava Cohen's home with wide, warm arms. Living with a host family is a completly different way of visiting another country. You start to feel like more of a member of the community and not as much a tourist.

My host home is a wonderful place to come home to after a hard day at camp and relax. At Nava's home there is always something exciting going on. She has people coming in and out of her home all day long. When I first moved in I was not sure who actually lived in the home. She truely makes anyone feel completly at ease and welcomed. When one stays here they will never starve because there is always food being served. Living with my host family has on improved my experience in Israel. I have become very close with my whole host family. Staying with in an Israeli family is a special treat that I will never forget.