Laura DeWoskin

By Laura DeWoskin

I loved Jewish sleep away camp: the spirt, the friends, and the fun. When I was 15 years old and I was too old for summer camp, I felt lost. My best buddy convinced me to go on the camp sponsor trip to Israel. Before I knew it, I was on a plane to Israel not really knowing how this trip would affect my life. My trip was many years ago, but I have some very vivid memories: eating whole cucumbers for breakfast, waking up before dawn to see the sunrise on Masada, floating in the Dead Sea, and hiking to the waterfall in Ein Gedi. When I arrived home and peeled off my back pack, I told my parents, “I have decided to marry someone Jewish.” Not sure how I came to that decision on my 3 week trip to Israel. Maybe it was connecting with the host families, praying at the Western Wall or endless late night discussion with trip leaders.  Now, I am married to a wonderful Jewish man and raising a Jewish family. It must have been the sweet magic of Israel!