Tel Aviv. Old New.

Before coming on birthright, I was told that Israel is a mix of old and new; the history of Israeli independence intertwined with high-tech startups equivalent to those located in San Francisco's Silicon Valley. During the past few days, our group has trekked through the Negev desert and tried to experience life like our ancestors did in the Bedouin tents, while constantly searching for wifi at every pit stop or bus ride. Living in this high-tech age, it's hard to disconnect and stick to religious rules, but everything finally clicked for me when we made it to Tel Aviv this morning - the city where old meets new.

The morning started off with a beautiful view and what felt like a Discovery Channel special while exploring the nooks and crannies in Jaffa, the old city of Tel Aviv. From the entry gate to Jaffa, you could see two sights; Ruins and cobblestone to the left, symbolizing the heart of the old, and the beach of Tel Aviv to the right, the heart of the new. The scene was serene, almost like two different worlds coexisting together. It was standing under this archway that I finally understood how such polar opposites could live in harmony - integration.

For the remainder of our time in Tel Aviv, I took more appreciation for the old and new. I wanted to capture every moment and be apart of the ever-changing culture that the city is known for. Our generation is know for their usage of technology and social media, and from being in Tel Aviv, it's become a goal of mine to help share the old, through the new. Upon the end of our journey through Israel, I hope to help everyone reminisce and learn about our experiences through a video. That way everyone can understand the beauty of Tel Aviv - Old New.

Post by Jamie Weiss. Jamie is a Broadcast and Digital Journalism major and a rising sophomore currently serving as Hillel Jewish Student Union's Communications Vice President.