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

E M A I L O R C A L L

sales@thejewishnews.com
248.354.6060

ADVERTISE 
WITH US!

YOUR AD HERE

DIGITAL & PRINT SPACE 
AVAILABLE.