NYU Tel Aviv Made Me Who I Am Today: By Rebekah Thornhill Tokatlilar
<p>Ten years ago, I visited Israel for the first time as one of 18 students who made up NYU Tel Aviv’s “pioneer” class. When the El Al plane landed, the woman sitting next to me said, without knowing me at all, “Welcome home,” and tears welled in my eyes. At the time, I wasn’t technically Jewish but felt like I was; hadn’t connected meaningfully to a Jewish community but here, felt like I belonged. That semester, I made lifelong friends, fell in love with Tel Aviv, learned a tremendous amount, and decided to pursue a conversion to Judaism. It was through relationships made during my time abroad that I became connected to the Bronfman Center, decided to pursue a career in Jewish education, and yes, met my husband.</p>
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