“I grew up in Riverdale, and have been in Israel three years now. I served a year and a half in Mahal, a program in which Jewish youth from overseas volunteer for military service, in the Search and Rescue unit. It was meaningful, but hard physically, as I carried weight of around two thirds of my body; and mentally, as we had long guarding duties, and stayed on-base for long periods of time. It was the best way to learn Hebrew and ease into Israeli society. You don’t have time to think about things, and after a year and a half I suddenly realized I’d completed my service.