By Lisa Greening

The door of the plane just shut, and our phones are in airplane mode. We are leaving Newark on our way to Tel Aviv. 

On the 15th anniversary of 9/11, we (the amazing Rubinites of 2016) are headed to Israel. We all thank Pam and Ron for this opportunity of a lifetime. 

This morning at 7:20am, I arrived at Lambert Airport. I was the last to arrive — everyone else ad checked in and was ready to go! None of had slept well the night before. Anticipation? Excitement? Libation at a Bar Mitzvah?      

After everyone used the restroom at least 18 or 36 times for good luck, we boarded the smallest passenger airplane an hour later than expected. During a fairly smooth ride, most of us fell asleep until…we hit the worst turbulence as we descended (poor Lauren!).

After eating yummy burgers, tacos, and salads at the food court (though I’m not sure why it took Jodi an hour and a alt to order and pay to her burger?), we used the restroom 18 or 36 times again for good luck and went through security to get to our gate to Israel. After the guards looked through our carry-on again and swiped us with their magic wand, my palm were wiped with a cloth to get for something…gun or bomb residue? But I don’t let myself stop to think about it. There is too much excitement ahead. We are so blessed to be going on this trip.      

Now, I am sitting in the middle of a plane surrounded by new friends — Jodi, Sharon, Katie, Lauren, Steve, David, Paul, Matt, Neshama, and the amazing Mindee Fredman, our Mama Leader. 

We are off! And trying to fall asleep. When we wake up, we’ll be in Israel.