Moving away from Israel had a great impact on me. I had lived there for five years, but I never really realized how lucky I was to be there. I took it all for granted.
Every step you take in Israel is a mitzvah. Every bracha you make in Israel is a bigger mitzvah. I used to be able to stay outside until late at night. I can’t do any of that here.
I used to thinkt hat that was just the way it is: You stay out till late, all the food is kosher. I never really understood that it isn’t always like that, that I was lucky to have it that way.
I now understand how fortunate I was. It had an impact on me, because now I try not to take things for granted.
Ariella Reiffman lives in Milwaukee and is in 8th grade at Yeshiva Elementary School.
The Coalition for Jewish Learning is the education program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.