My Story

Born in Illinois to two proud Jewish parents from Paterson, NJ.
Raised on a farm in Georgia.
​P.S. I have a younger sister.
1983 - I signed up for a history program through college and spent the summer in Israel. The program fell through and my parents gave me a choice if I really wanted to go... I had to survive driving in downtown Atlanta to visit the Israeli consulate. (I hated and was terrified of driving in downtown Atlanta) I went and chose a 3-month kibbutz program where I studied Hebrew half a day and worked alongside the Israelis the other half. I stayed for 4 years.
1985 (May) - After making aliyah in 1984 I was called to serve in the IDF for 2 full years. Serving with the Nachal, Matkan 137 (office job), and Golani.
1987 (May) - Returned to the US to finish up what I started back in 1982.
1988 (July) - Returned to Israel to study Social Work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
1990 (Jan) - Returned to the US and actually did finish up university graduating with a BA in Dramatic Arts and just shy of a minor in Psychology Dec 1992 at the University of Georgia (In case you were doing math, yes, it took me 10 years and 5 schools (6 different entrance times) to graduate.

LIFE HAPPENS

1992 (Jan) - I moved to NY to study acting and learn how not to be terrified in NYC (I was in my room by sundown).
2001 (May) - Thinking about returning to Israel when I met a guy and stayed in NY.
2001 (Sep) - 911 happened and I had wished that I was back in Israel safe... chew on that one a bit.

​2008 (May) - Start working for myself as a full-time dance instructor and...
2009 (Jan) - No longer with the guy that got me to stay in NYC.

ISRAEL REARS ITS HEAD AGAIN FOR ME

2023 (Oct 7th) - The world is turned upside down for the Jewish and Israeli people (talk to me and I can explain the difference). I couldn't bear to watch the news. Then I felt guilty for not doing anything. Then I was angry that I didn't drop everything and move back or something. Then on one Sunday as I was working I met someone who set me straight after I said "I was too old to go and be of any service" he said that is not true - there is plenty of stuff that you can do. (Mind you he had shown me amazing photos and videos of his trip which tugged at my heart strings to be back in Israel).
2024 (January 1) - PURCHASED my ticket to Israel (and back). I have connections who will give me information to which farm I will be working on as of the 14th of January for a week.
So after this chronological story of my life with tons of stuff left out.... I am asking for help to cover my costs while I'm in Israel from the flight, to local travel, to evening meals.

If there is money left over I have two organizations that I will split the money between: Dror for the Wounded Soldiers and Justgiving.com. Both organizations are legit and I personally know people who are involved in both.

Please donate as much as you can (I am always happy when I see an $18 donation - also will explain if you are not aware of the meaning). I tried to run a GoFundMe however they shut me down so I am going to ask for donations via Venmo and Zelle - Please mark donation description as Israeli Trip 2024 and make it a private donation. I will have a sheet for those to see that you have donated although I will hide the donations on this end.

I will also have a Facebook page dedicated to the trip with updates and will probably cross update on IG as well.

Payment Platforms

Venmo

Go Fund Me

Click Here:
​​GFM2024

Facebook Group

Shapiro goes to Israel 2024
​Thank you for your support and belief in what I am doing. I promise to return to the US this time but no promises for the future. And upon my return if anyone wants to get together to hear more about what it was like... let me know.