"I am so lucky to be here and share with you the best experience of my life.
 
My name is Ortal, and I live in Netanya. When I graduated from high school, I spent a year of service in Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of Partnership 2000. I was of 25 young emissaries across North America.
 
I met with young people and families who adopted me and became part of my family to this day. My host family, the friends I made during the year, my students and people I met along the way became a significant and integral part of my life, and I became a great part of theirs.
 
During the year, I enjoyed presenting to many people the charm of the State of Israel, and the many possibilities it offers. Finally, a large number of my students and friends decided to come to long-term programs in Israel, and this is the greatest joy in the heart of a Shaliach.
 
Besides the work with the Jewish community, I had the great privilege of presenting our country and our people to non-Jewish Americans. It is one of the best feelings, to know that by a simple lecture, you changed the opinions of so many people about Israel and made new friends for the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
 
This year I have learned that I am not only a citizen of Israel, but I am a part of something bigger- the Jewish people as a whole.  Above all, I return home knowing that all of us - Jewish people all around the world - have a common bond. Or, as our teachers of old taught:  Kol Yisrael Arevim zeh la-zeh  -- the people of Israel are connected to one another regardless of where they live

In two weeks, I will be a soldier in the IDF. I am certain that the experiences I shared with the community in the United States make me a Zionist with a great deal of pride. I am proud to have the privilege of being part of such a people, with such culture and heritage.

Thank you.