Weekend #1

Hi my name is David Bargraser and I’m from Houston, Texas. I came on Israel ID because I wanted to come experience Israel and connect with the holy land.
  
FRIDAY NIGHT
This Shabbat was amazing. I had a great time. We started off Friday night by going to the OU center in Jerusalem. Friday nights are very special to me, because I know most of the prayers in the Kabbalat Shabbat services. This let me really connect to myself and to the holy land.
 
SATURDAY
Saturday prayers were long as usual. I learned that a double parsha does not mean that we have to do double the aliyahs. Saturday day prayers were not as inspirational. (Due to me not knowing the prayers very well.) What really touched me was the ebbing Saturday night. I truly felt a real connection. I don’t know how to describe it. Even though I did not know all of the words to the songs I closed my eyes and just listened, it was truly beautiful. This was the first time I had ever felt this feeling. During this period of ebbing I decided to challenge myself.
 
THE CHALLENGE 
I challenged myself to become a better Jew. WHAT does that mean?! I decided to apply to YU and spend next summer in the Holy Land. I LOVE this place. Before I had no desire to apply to YU nor spend my time in this country. Thank you to Rabbi YOPO, all the advisers, and my ID family for making me feel this way, I believe each of you has impacted me in some way or another.