By Marla Guggenheimer, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer

Hillel Academy graduating eighth-graders at an Ethiopian absorption center in Israel during their class trip in April (L to R): Ari Vandersluis, Riley Jacobs, Tzvi Fox, and Marla Guggenheimer

You can’t really know Israel until you experience it for yourself. I know everyone always says that, but it is true.

I’ve gone to Hillel Academy all my life, from kindergarten to eighth grade. I’ve studied Hebrew. I’ve looked at maps and learned the history of the state of Israel. I’ve read the stories of the Holocaust and the aliyahs (Jewish immigration to Israel). But none of this truly prepared me for the awesome reality of Israel.

Three classmates and I, along with Hillel Academy Principals Josh Zwelling and Tom Tudor, recently spent a week in Israel.

The trip went so fast — too fast for my liking — and we did so many amazing things. We were busy from sunrise to way past sundown. Out of everything we did, a few special things really stayed with me.

We were in Israel during Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Remembrance Day and Israeli Independence Day. The night we got to Israel was the eve of Yom Hazikaron and as we drove to the kibbutz where we were going to stay, we pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the car.

We stood there listening to a siren that could be heard across the country. It was a solemn time, a time to reflect and remember. It was so cool that we got to experience that special time in Israel.

We went to the Kotel (Western Wall) and I put a note in the wall, which was a wonderful feeling.

Another one of my favorite places was the Dead Sea. I never imagined that you could float so well! It was so salty and oily, and I loved every minute floating in it.

I’ve heard that the Dead Sea is evaporating; you can see evidence of the receding waters on the shore. Too much water is diverted annually from the Jordan River for people, animals, and irrigation, and the rains can’t replenish it enough. My friends and I were lucky to experience it.

We also went to Masada, Ein Gedi, Yad Vashem, and did tons of hiking in the North. We went to many shuks, or outdoor markets, as well. Those were so fun because you got a real feel for the people in Israel. It was so exciting and busy and I loved it.

But perhaps my favorite part of the entire trip was a visit to an Ethiopian absorption center outside of Jerusalem.

An absorption center is like a neighborhood where new immigrants from other countries come and live for about 10 months to a year to learn about their new home.

Our own United Jewish Campaign provides funding to these centers through the Jewish Agency for Israel.

The immigrants there take classes on Hebrew, Israel’s history, and everyday life. They need to learn things that we consider basic knowledge, like how to use a toilet and how to cook on a stove.

While at the absorption center, we visited the kindergarten. When we entered the classroom, about 30 5-and-6-year-olds were standing in a circle and singing a song in Hebrew. They were so cute.

We got to go outside and have recess with them, an amazing experience. We played ball and talked with them and took tons of pictures. The kids loved seeing themselves in the pictures. It was also amazing how well they spoke Hebrew.

We could communicate with them almost perfectly. They were such wonderful and amazing children.

When I think about those families that moved from the lives they knew to completely different ones, I think they must be so brave.

It must be so scary to have to start your life over in a whole new place and having to adapt to a brand-new lifestyle. Those people are courageous.

Well, all too soon, our week was over. We boarded the plane from Israel around 11 p.m. and landed in Dayton around 9:30 a.m.

The trip was an amazing experience and I think I can safely say that all of the people that went had the times of their lives.

It was my first time in Israel, but hopefully not my last. Israel is wonderful and beautiful and anyone who has a chance to go should.

You can feel the holiness of our ancient homeland as soon as you step off the plane. That is what makes Israel simply magical.