38 | AUGUST 15 • 2024

co-workers. I most enjoyed sitting
at my lunch breaks with my Israeli
colleagues and learning about their
upbringing, their families and their
lives in Israel today. Outside of my
internship, I experienced the busy
daytime and nightlife of Tel Aviv,
attending crowded beaches, out-
door-seating restaurants at night
and Shuk HaCarmel (the Tel Aviv
outdoor market) for some of the
best falafel and shawarma.
A highlights of my Onward
experience were the Shabbat
dinners we had each week. Not
one Friday night looked the same
between cooking in our apartment,
Onward-coordinated Shabbat
dinners, an Onward Shabbaton
in Jerusalem and being hosted by
Michigan alumni who made aliyah
to Israel.
The last Shabbat we had was the
most special to me. We combined
our kitchen table with three addi-
tional desks to fit 14 people into
our small studio apartment to cel-
ebrate Shabbat together. Friends,
new and old, sat in my apartment,
ate and reflected on the eight
amazing weeks we had together.
Oftentimes we would find
ourselves up until 1 a.m. laugh-
ing, talking and playing games
as Shabbat was a time that we

were all truly connected with one
another.
At school, with everyone’s busy
schedules, sometimes it is hard
to find time during the week to
be together at the Shabbat table;
but in Israel, everyone, including
myself, made it a priority to enjoy
time together on Friday nights.
I can’t wait to keep this idea of
making time and space for Shabbat
back on campus, no matter how
much homework or other commit-
ments I may have, hopefully with
my Onward friends with me.
Coming back to school in the
fall will be exciting as I will have
new friends on campus who can
relate to the incredible experience
I had in Israel. Additionally, I
am more confident than ever to
express being a Zionist as my 10
weeks spent in Israel only grew my
love for the country and the ability
for the Jewish people to be strong
in the midst of adversity.
I am eternally grateful for
my time spent in Israel and for
Michigan Hillel for providing
this opportunity. I know that I
return from this experience more
inspired! @

Shayna Foreman, U-M class of 2026, is from

West Bloomfield.

Shayna
Foreman

for college students
by college students

continued from page 36

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