At Leffell, Seniors participate in a two-month intensive travel experience called Lev V’Nefesh in which students tour Israel and Poland. While the primary goals of the trip are educational and spiritual in nature, the trip also challenges students socially and personally. Given this, along with other sensory and anxiety challenges I may face, I spent days preparing for the Lev V’Nefesh trip - starting with the flight.
As I have explained in previous blogs a flight is the perfect breeding ground for a sensory overload: it’s confined, loud, uncomfortable and a new environment. So I did everything I could do to prepare. I brought noise cancelling headphones and EarPods. I limited sensory exposure on the bus and in the airport. I brought my Xanax and downloaded an audiobook to listen to. And it worked. I didn’t get a sensory overload. But if only life could be that simple. In the midst of avoiding a sensory overload I disregarded my own health and ignored my lingering congestion. In high altitude it is very hard to decongest - mucus just sits in your lungs. That is what happened for me. Mid-flight I started to struggle to breathe. This was not pleasant. Over the next hours I tried to reduce this pain but all I could do is sit hopeless as every minute felt like an hour. But, eventually the flight wound down. We began to descend - breath returned. A relief. I prayed shacharit with one of my friends and before I knew it we landed.
The next few days were focused on recovery - I thought that the flight was the end to my challenges but instead it had wreaked havoc on my system. The next day, at the City of David I struggled through the indoor exhibit and up a hill to the bus. Between this and the flight I reflected - I needed to take a break. To get through this trip I not only needed to listen to what my senses were telling me but my body as well. And so I rested. And I rested. And by Sunday morning I was ready for the trip.
This first full day would get me ready for what most days would be - a mix of hiking, walking and touring. We began at Tel Azaka, a Canaanite site and we discussed David’s battle against Goliath. We then went to Nebi Samuel, the purported tomb of the prophet Samuel. And then we went to the Jewish quarter to visit the Tomb of David and the Davidson Archaeological Park. We finished with Mincha at the Kotel. What this all meant was a lot of walking - 14,000 steps according to my phone. That meant I needed to build up endurance and a lot of it fast. I focused on pacing myself. Not overwhelming myself if I got tired. I drank water. I stretched and I asked for help if I needed it. I was wiped. Thankfully, the next day was easier with most of the day focused on presentations about October 7th.
Throughout my journey I was building a support system. My first asset was my Madrich - a staff member assigned to me to be my point person, similar to how my friend Cortney helps me out at camp. We review the schedule and develop strategies for any tough situations. Next was surprisingly my friends. Remember the flight? It was my friends - Ari and Ephram who sprung into action. They were by my side as I worked through strategy after strategy. They alerted the faculty chaperone and the flight staff. They offered gum and candy. Ephram, my seatmate even climbed over me so I could concentrate on breathing instead of moving. And of course the last person I. This support network was the head of the program, Marc Kaye. I don’t sugarcoat things. Building a new support network isn’t easy. Especially when everyone is adjusting. Initially, and still now, Marc and I have to work hard to find a mutually available time. He has 79 kids and 10 staff to take care of. I have unpredictable needs meaning committing to any definite time is tricky. But I give us credit for our flexibility. For one, communicating with my Madrich limits the amount of things we need to discuss - when we do meet it’s about the stuff that only he can answer and so we can focus on stuff like that rather than the basics of the schedule or the upcoming meals. Secondly, we have found good opportunities to meet. The bus is a perfect time to do that. It’s a controlled environment and it’s not like either of us can run off anywhere.
The climax of this opening salvo was Masada. I was very nervous. In ninth grade, I got zapped. My tight quad had a severe cramp and on the bus ride later I had a sensory overload from how sweaty and tired I was. It was not my finest day. Now it was round two. First I prepared myself. We stayed at a Bedouin tent the night before. I knew this wouldn’t work for me. So pretty much as soon as we landed I let my Madrich know about this concern. He passed it up to Marc who in turn called the campsite. They had rooms available, in fact this is where the faculty were staying, so I was given a room with a hot shower and a comfy bed. I went to sleep early - 9PM with the hope that this controlled environment would make tomorrow easier. It did. When we woke up at 4:30 I was disoriented at first but quickly the fatigue wore off. When we got to Masada I employed two more resources - pacing and my Madrich. I took my time going up the Roman Ramp. I didn’t have a cramp. I drank water. And I did it. I was at the top of Masada, overjoyed. Touring and tefillah went well and the rest of the day - Ein Gedi and a Camel ride also were pleasant. I had managed the first major non-flight challenge. My trip had truly begun. I was in the swing of things. So what is next? Join me next time for my reflections on the North and Tel-Aviv.
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