I went on the most magical trip to Israel for three weeks from December 2019 to January 2020. It was with a random group of girls... to Israel... and we never met each other. It was for a program called Jewel.

let me just say how life-changing it was to not only meet people that I became instant friends with but create bonds with that will last a lifetime.

There were fourteen of us on this program with two Madrichas (someone in a leadership role for a group, in the Jewish sense) and awesome program coordinators such as Llana, Cheryl, and a few others!

Jewel is a program strictly for girls who are interested in Jewish learning, Most girls accepted are either Jewish or are converting to Judaism. May sound boring at first but trust me, it is not. The classes are filled with enthusiastic professors, we go on trips to places that are amazing and fun to visit, and we get our free time to roam around Israel and maybe meet some cute boys!

Molly Cohen

There is so much I can say about the girls and this program. Here are just a few things I want to say about each lovely lady:

Orali had one of the most fun spirits of the group, and she was always up to taking pictures of each of our gatherings.

Atara is converting to become a Jewish woman and her enthusiasm to ask questions during classes showed just how committed she was to learning the Jewish roots, and she was just simply cute!

Cami was always looking for the best stuff to eat around Israel, even looking to taste off other's plates! Her independence and strive to be her true self was always remarkable.

Maria is working towards her social work degree and you can tell she had a passion to help others throughout Israel. She also wore these cool studs on the side of her eyes which eventually the group started to get in on.

Yarden was the ballet dancer of the group; she was quite at first but eventually, as she opened up her amazing personality shined through and she was such a pleasure to be with.

Paulina was the mature one of the group, always speaking so politely and making sure she had WiFi everywhere to do her job and keep up with her responsibilities!

Kayla was strong, dealing with her lost luggage at the start of the program. She is a beauty in and out and is super chill. Speaking of super chill.

Devorah was one of the most down to earth and chill girls of the group, always finding activities for us to do and never afraid to stand up for what she believed in.

Allie was super pretty and was a "go with the flow" kind of girl, also being very easy to talk to. Allie is close friends with Melanie, who was one of our outspoken and outgoing girls of the group who was extremely welcoming with a great sweet side who was always willing to give a listen to someone when needed. Allie and Melanie loved parties and had really cute guy friends, which was a plus!

Alix was our go green girl and was super intellectual when she spoke. She has a knack for standing up for what she believes in especially about the environment, something I advocate for as well.

Victoria always made sure we learned something valuable even during our cards against humanity games and is super mature and smart; the way she carried herself was very admirable.

Rebecca was our "hot dentist" of the group because she was a dentist who was simply beautiful! She was always a blast to be with as well.

Our Madricha Chaya is a strong female who protected us from any harm at all times with our other Madricha Avigail making sure we were always fed and were healthy; she is even a nurse and is great at it!

Llana is one of the program leaders and teachers who is always sweet, welcoming, and nonjudgmental.

Lastly, Cheryl s a program coordinator as well and always made sure we were okay, safe, and having fun. When you put all of these amazing individuals together, you are bound to make lasting friendships, have good times, and create lasting memories.

Molly Cohen

I can only include in this article so much we did on the program. We visited museums, went zip-lining, made challah bread, took classes on our religion, the history of Judaism, how to be comfortable in ourselves as women and other topics, painted, ate falafel and hummus, had shabbas dinners, visited the western wall, met soldiers, volunteered at a hospital, visited a really cool brewery; the list is endless.

Molly Cohen

Some non-program activities the girls and I put together (sorry leaders!) was walking around the shuk, going on late night walks to the western wall, playing the funniest games of cards against humanity, smoking some hookah with some guys below, shopping around the cutest mall, eyeing the cutest boys (ok, maybe mostly me), getting drunk on new years eve (okay, maybe that was me again), and so many other fun stuff that created the best moments.

Molly Cohen

What is the point of me writing this article? To tell you that if your gut is telling you to go on a program, whether it's the one I went on or a different one, to do it because you truly never know what memories you will create, the friendships you will build, and what positive long-lasing experiences it will have in your life and future. My third time to Israel through this program was incredible and truly life-changing because I made the best connections that bring up the happiest emotions for me. Whenever I am sad, I reach out to one of these lovely people and look at pictures and I instantly feel better knowing I met these people and had the greatest trips of my life. I am not 100 percent sure what my group thought of me, but I know they enjoyed meeting me (I hope I speak for everyone) as much as I enjoyed meeting them. So go on that program and make connections, because you may become best friends with strangers too.

#Jewelforever

Molly Cohen