By Michelle Spektor

Upon being asked to talk about this week, I don't know where to begin. I have learned and experienced so much in only a few days, but there are two things about this trip that stand out in my mind.

The first thing is the interaction that took place between the Israelis and Americans. We found our similarities and learned about our differences. I got to see Israel the way Israeli teenagers see it, and I had so much fun talking, laughing and singing with all of you, and going bowling "togezer" with you at 1 o'clock in the morning. Israel is such a wonderful and beautiful place and I am so glad that I can now say it is also a place where I have many good friends.

The second part of this trip that most stands out in my mind is the interaction that took place between the Americans themselves. I have been part of all sides of the Jewish spectrum; I went to Hillel until eighth grade, and I go to BRS, but I also went to camp Ramah, and I am now in public school. This is the first time that I have ever seen the different sides together in a social and educational situation like this one. As being part of both the more observant and less observant sides of the Jewish spectrum, I have found that the two sides are divided and know little about each other, and even at times antagonistic towards each other. The separation between the different denominations is something I have always felt very strongly and it has made me so overwhelmingly happy to see how both sides have come together during this trip.

I feel that the biggest challenge that this generation of the Jewish people faces is to remain united in a divided world. By bringing together teenagers of different cultures, countries and denominations, this program truly achieves that.

- Michelle Spektor, at the concluding session of the Jewish Roots mifgash, Jerusalem, Chanukah 5756

About Jewish Roots

Jewish Roots is an educational program operated mutually in high schools in Kiryat Bialik and Boca Raton. It deals with Jewish values, history and identity, particularly emphasizing the different perceptions of Judaism and developing respect and acceptance of those differences. The program is conducted in three levels: study sessions on each side separately; video conferences, in which participants discuss together previously-studied themes; and reciprocal visits. The visits are usually planned during a holiday, e.g. Chanukah in Israel, Purim in the US etc, which gives participants an opportunity to explore different ways of practicing Judaism.

Jewish Roots (Shorshay Israel) is operated for the 3rd year in a row and appears to be an extremely successful P2K project. Participants not only make new friends and share wonderful experiences together, but the program opens their minds to new values and ideas and expands their Jewish world, as demonstrated in Michelle's letter after her Chanukah experience in Israel.