ATID is the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis advanced leadership program. Part of every ATID class is a trip to Israel. These are accounts from the partcipants of ATID IV, who are traveling through Israel in February 2016.

Post written by Marlo Katz

I sat in the Indianapolis airport yesterday looking around at my fellow ATIDers, wondering where this adventure would take us. What is everyone thinking and feeling, and what are their preconceived expectations of this trip? My only experience of going to Israel was three years ago with my family. It is a funny feeling, going on such an intimate and personal trip for ten days with so many strangers. Yet, in ten days I know these strangers will be friends.

And so our journey ....

Our first footsteps begin in the 2,100-year-old town of Ceasarea. Named for Julius Caesar, Caesarea was built by Herod becoming one of the most important cities in the Roman Period. At one point, 125,000 people lived in this ancient city. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to close my eyes, and imagine. I imagine what it was like in a its most vibrant times, what my role would have been during this period as a woman, mother, citizen.

Tonight we celebrated Shabbat in our hotel in Nahariya. The night was filled with songs, wine, food, and conversation. In my opinion, it was the most relaxing end to a very long day of traveling.

Israel to me is about feeling: sights, smelling, touching, experiencing. I already feel strangers are becoming friends. Bring on the journey ....

Shabbat Shalom—or as my hip roommate says Shabbat Shalome!