Special Moments of Nativ

During Tefillah one Morning, we were told to write something that made us feel moved. The events represent the first feeling we had during an important life event.

"I have a desire to find beautiful views to look out to. I use the views as a time to reflect. When I came to Jerusalem I was determined to find my place; however, apartments and huge construction cranes stood tall and mighty over the Holy City. When Nativ had our first Shabbat we walked to Yemin Moshe, the first neighborhood that was built outside the walls of Jerusalem. We stood in awe at the beautiful mountains and sky. The mighty buildings looked so small compared to the vast sky and the mountains in the distance. On a clear day, I could see mountains until the Earth curved. I never felt a drive to pray, but seeing this view, and being within walking distance, made me close my eyes and whisper "thank you". I often find myself walking to the lookout balcony whenever I need a timeout from the bustling city.

After being in Jerusalem for a semester, the sky looks beautiful all the time during any part of the day. Buildings and cranes complement the sky in an unspoken way. My best friend and I have an inside joke about cotton candy skies and whenever I see them in Israel it makes me think of home. It's the little things I have to remind myself of." - Ilana Williams

"I ask G-D to guide me in the path of success. To make me a better person. To let people treat me the same way I treat them, and to not let people take me as an advantage. To give me the ability to follow my dreams and to work as hard as possible to get what I achieve for." - Rebbeca Morgenthaler

"When I was on Ramah Seminar, I participated in Gadna, a week long army program in Israel. For a week I was in a unit with about 10 other people and we trained like soldiers. We woke up early in the morning, did training, learned how to shoot a gun, attended classes, and learned about bombs. The week was really challenging for me and at the end of the week there was a ceremony that awarded one person from each unit and I got called up in front of everyone and I wasn't expecting it at all, and I felt really proud of myself." - Maddy Tessel

"I thank G-D for getting me to where I am today." Gabby Gabbay