Last June I had the privilege of going on Birthright with @ciebirthright . This trip was a personal first for many things. It was the first time I ever traveled overseas, the first time travelling with a Jewish group, and my first time travelling to Israel. When I arrived in Israel, I was struck by the beauty of the landscape, by the hospitality of the people, by the history that surrounded me – but most importantly, I was struck by how at home I felt. As we travelled together from city to city, our group became closer and more tight knit, learning from each other and our collective experiences at each new destination. This for me was most evident at the Kotel, where each person’s expectations and reactions were different; nevertheless we experienced it together. If this trip did anything for me, it strengthened my Jewish identity and my sense of community. Since returning, I have had an even greater desire to learn, study, and be involved in the community. This strengthened sense of identity and community is what I returned from Israel with, and it is something I will always keep with me. #humansofcie
– Travis Holt