Day 7: Omer

01.07.14

Not only does Birthright send you to Israel for free, they also provide the opportunity for Israeli youth (also aged 18 to 26) to experience Birthright along with you. This provides an ultimate immersive opportunity for everyone. 

I met Omer when we got off the plane. The six Israelis that joined out American group of 40 were waiting for us outside the airport; standing with signs welcoming us and greeting us with hugs explaining that "in Israel - we hug." 

Omer is 19 (though when I asked how old she was she made sure to say "nearly 20") and is currently serving in the Israeli military. Always in uniform as she is always on duty. 

On the bus ride to Tel Aviv we passed a sushi restaurant and I got excited - she leaned over to me and said "I'll make sure to take you to a good sushi place" and I knew we'd get along.  She and I were walking through a market and I was telling her about this project and I experienced the best response so far. 

Omer proceeded to tell me that it's fate that I'm talking to her about this. She has a rocky relationship with her family and it was against the preference of her parents that she go on this trip. 

But as she was waiting for us to arrive, she received a text message from her mother telling her to have a good time and that it's so important to create strong relationships with people as those are the things that last. And now, we are friends.