I Left a Piece of My Heart in Tel Aviv, Thanks to Birthright Israel

My name is Amberley Gin, and I am from Delray Beach, Florida. I am a recent Spring 2023 graduate from Florida State University, and I currently work as a public relations specialist at an agency in Tallahassee, FL.  My passions include singing, dancing, art, fashion, etc. – basically anything creative. I love animals, nature, traveling, and going to EDM music festivals/concerts.

Growing up, I attended Friday night services with my family, went to Hebrew school on Sundays, and had a bat mitzvah. Because I was born and raised in South Florida, I was lucky to be surrounded by a large Jewish community, therefore I rarely experienced antisemitism – there was the occasional slur or swastika graffiti. I’ve always been so proud to be Jewish – we are a very strong group of people.

In temple, I always heard about Israel in our lessons, discussions, and prayers. I knew it was a sacred and necessary place for Jews – culturally, religiously and historically – but I assumed I would never be able to go. Who has the time and money to fly across the world? Years later, I am so happy to say I’ve been, thanks to Birthright Israel.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I signed up for the trip, and to be honest, I was scared. I had never been outside of the country, and of course, there were dangers of possible terror attacks. As soon as we landed, I knew I made the right choice. Stepping foot into Ben Gurion Airport, knowing I was in my homeland, was truly something special. Especially because my two older brothers, Brandon and Tyler, were with me. I loved every part of my Birthright trip, but some highlights include exploring the holy city of Safed, ziplining over the Jordan River, stargazing in the desert, floating in the Dead Sea, riding camels, and hiking Masada.

After Birthright, I stayed in Israel for an additional nine weeks, thanks to the Onward Internship Program, which allowed me to live and work like a local. I spent the summer as a journalist for a news podcast, interviewing people around Tel Aviv and writing stories. I had the honor of attending the 2022 Maccabiah Games Opening Ceremony with a press pass, and to my surprise, U.S. President Joe Biden was in the audience.

Each day in Israel brought something new and exciting. I had the privilege of immersing myself in Israeli culture, exploring different cities and historical sites, meeting locals, trying new foods, and soaking in the energy of Tel Aviv. It was the best time of my life. Some of my fondest Onward memories include singing karaoke at the beach, relaxing by the flower garden in Habimah Square, shopping at the shuk, staying with a wonderful host family in Zikhron Ya’akov, and traveling to Eilat with my girls.

On a more serious note, I’d like to take a moment to remember a friend I met in Eilat – Dor Avitan. He was an extremely talented musician, and I had the pleasure of watching him perform on stage. He showed my friends incredible hospitality, whipping us up a drink and even taking us out for a boat ride. He was murdered at the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023.

The day after I returned to Florida in August 2022, I heard there were dozens of rockets fired at Israel and my friends were hiding in bomb shelters. It really hit close to home. I could have easily been there, terrified. It really makes you question how the Israeli people remain so happy and positive. They are truly resilient.

Looking back on my time in Israel, I can confidently say it changed my life. I became closer to my Jewish identity, met amazing people and created memories that I will cherish forever. I left a piece of my heart in Tel Aviv, and I hope to be back for it soon.