Maybe one day..

I have always been petrified (and I mean PETRIFIED) of traveling to Israel; and it’s not only because I am also beyond petrified of flying and the thought of being on a plane for that many hours is enough to send me orbiting into a full on panic attack just writing this.


Everyone I know who has ever travelled to Israel or lived there for any period of time, including Rich when he was in his early 20’s has always tried to tell me; Kim, I promise you, it is so different once you are there, from the moment you step foot off the plane you feel this indescribable connection to your heritage, but still, from the time I was a young child everything I have ever seen on the news or read in the papers (or online) about Israel has instilled this great fear in me.


Does this make me a bad Jew?


Jacob is in Israel right now for 2 weeks (his third time in 2 years) on the first leg of his travels this summer. Rachel has been there for the past 6 weeks on an organized youth trip for 10 days, followed by an internship program and last May, Hannah also spent a few weeks there as well. And believe it or not, as much as I am a nervous, anxious wreck with each one of their departures (including their plane rides) and time spent in Israel, I am also very grateful that they have all been afforded the opportunity to visit their Homeland and that my own fears of flying or going to Israel has never been a deterrent for any one of them in any which way.


Having now lived vicariously through my children’s travels to Israel I have really begun to see Israel for what I wish I could have seen all those years ago. I see it not as a place to be feared but as a place filled with beautiful landscape and architecture, incredible history, religious importance, fascinating culture and people, delicious food, amazing shopping and of course, a very fun nightlife…oh and I can’t forget its insane hiking excursions. 


Israel has now become a place I would like to see one day too, with my very own eyes and experience first hand what everyone has tried so hard to help me understand. 

I have been totally enamoured by these two photos of Rachel which were taken yesterday afternoon at the Tel Aviv Pride festivities. There is a glow about her like I’ve never seen before. I can see it in her eyes, in her smile. She exudes confidence and pride. They are the purest expression of joy and contentment. Feelings I yearn for in my own life.

Maybe one day I’ll get there…

#Israel #Homeland #holyland #telaviv #pridemonth #love #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #fears #fearofflying #confidence #yearning #connections #myheart #joy #contentment #happypride #shabbatshalom #Birthright #heritage #promisedland