To be a Jewish woman is one thing, but to be a proud Jewish woman is something that many don't always feel instantly.

Pride doesn't come easily. It takes knowledge and power to be proud of who you are as a person. With the help of Jewish day school and Hebrew school, being Jewish was something that was always prominent in my life. However, it wasn't until I understood the value that Jewish women hold that I was finally able to become proud of who I am as a religious woman.

Thanks to Taglit Birthright, traveling to the holiest of lands was finally possible. Israel has been a place that has been talked about for the majority of my life. It is a place that is held to such a high standard in the Jewish community being that it is the holiest of the lands. Not only that, but it is the place that has kept our religion and history alive for decades, and is the place that was foreign to myself and many others. But thankfully, after my 10-day journey, it is now the place I will love and cherish forever.

As I embarked on my adventure with 40 of my Jewish peers, I was unsure as to what to expect but my excitement was near to controllable. I, Brooke Klaiman, was finally going to see firsthand why Israel is truly a special place.

With a long plane ride and time change ahead of me, I knew sleep was a necessity but there was one problem. All I could do was observe the passengers around me as they prayed throughout the duration of the flight. I truly didn't think that I would understand the nature of the land until I arrived but little did I know that the experience I had on the plane was enough to make me feel a way I've never felt before, which is to be a proud Jewish women.

As the pride and lack of sleep kicked in, day 1/10 was ready to begin.

Throughout the 10 days, catching my breath was near to impossible but worth every second. Each and every detail of the trip was truly eye opening and beyond incredible. From the facts given about the Israeli Defense Force to celebrating Shabbat at the Kotel and everything else in between, I wouldn't take any of it back.

As I dived into the history of Israel, I was also able to literally dive into the food. And boy let me tell you, the food is no less than outstanding. The overload of hummus, falafel and shawarma was enough in itself to make me never want to eat American food again. Seriously, I recommend you try it.

To add to the hype of Israel, the beach. From the second you step foot onto Gordon beach and feel the white powdery sand between your toes you will never want to leave. Whether you are boiling in the sun or lying in a hammock, both options are prime.

After falling in love with Israel, getting on the plane home was definitely a struggle because, at the end of the day, Israel is a dream come true and a paradise within itself. It is a place that has my heart, my religion and my people. It is the holiest of the lands. It is the reason why I am so beyond proud to be a Jewish women. It is my home. And it is a place I can't wait to go back too.