Greetings from Across the Pond

Greetings from across the pond,

When I sat down to work on this “blog,” at first, I had some difficulty finding the right words to describe the experiences we’ve had in Odessa thus far. From planting a garden, to marching in the April Fools Day Parade to painting walls outside a JCC to visiting some members of the elderly community in their homes, to bowling with our Ukrainian friends, to text studies to staying up until all hours of the night with our peers, this trip has certainly been an experience unlike any other! Every day has been different from the one that precedes it. Every activity has been fun and educational. Moreover, every individual on the trip truly brings something different to the table that not only has impacted the Jewish community of Odessa thus far, but has impacted one another.
As tired as we all are, as jet-legged we all are, as much paint we have in our hair and on our clothes, everyone has stilled maintained such a positive attitude and moreover, are always willing to lend a helping hand to one another. To me, this trip has been more than just a community service project. It has been more than just an "Alternate Spring Break" devoted to helping others, but it has been a week full of growing as people, becoming better friends with each other, better leaders and moreover, better members of the Jewish community. I feel as though the lessons learned and the leadership skills developed won’t “sink in” until we return home, however, we can safely say that they will have a positive impact on us and the world around us.
It is hard to believe that this trip is more than halfway over. It is hard to believe that in less than 72 hours we will be back home. Although this trip will last for only a week, I am confident that the lessons we learned from it will live on forever. We still have a few days left to grow even stronger as a community, to learn even more about the Jewish community in Odessa, to contribute more and more to this community and moreover to make more memories that will be sure to live on and will not be forgotten. This trip has truly been a journey unlike any other and I cannot wait to see what the next few days will bring.
Until next time,
Das Vedania!
Melissa Finger