Rachel

Hi, my name is Racheli. I know my page's name is Rachel, because that is my real name, but I have been called Racheli ever since I could remember myself and I like that name much more. I was born in Israel in Jerusalem, and I'm fourteen years old (turning fifteen in two days!!). I lived in Jerusalem until the age of two, and than moved to an amazing settlement named Efrat, which is really close to Jerusalem. I love living 20 minutes away from such a great city like Jerusalem, and I think it is very convenient.

I have five siblings- three brothers, and two sisters. I have been the only girl for seven and half years, and it was the best day of my life when I had my first sister Batya (I was actually dancing around and singing when I heard she was born!). My mom is a doctor, and she works very hard and is a great mother. My dad is a computer officer in "The gift of life" bone marrow registry. My dad also works very hard at home, and is a great father. I studied in Asseh Chail elementary school in Efrat, and now study in Neve Chana high school in Alon Shvut.

In the beginning of last year I joined Bnei-Akiva, which I love and have lots of fun in!! Since I was young I have been taking a lot of extra classes after school- for example, dance, soccer, basketball, piano, ceramics, and some more. But the one hobby I have stuck with is gymnastics. I have been taking gymnastics since I was five and I absolutely love it! It is so much fun to do and each time I do some backhand springs it gives me such a feeling of freedom and makes me feel like I can do anything. It is funny, because my little sister Batya took right after me and started taking gymnastics the minute she could, and she also loves it too.

I have been to lots of other countries in the world (like Switzerland, France, England...) and I have realized how great it is to live in Israel. It is so great to have the feeling that you are in the right place, and everyone surrounding you is Jewish (mostly....), speaking Hebrew and living like Jews. Although sometimes I feel like the gush that I live in, is kind of a closed place- that we "live in a bubble" like most people say, and it is important to look around and realize, that there are people who aren't living the best lives like we do in the Gush.

My hobbies are singing, dancing, gymnastics, watching movies and of course hanging out with friends and family! During the week I spend a lot of time hanging with friends, and also try to focus on some schoolwork... when I have time and I feel like it....

I love the quote- **"everything is for the best"** (or in Hebrew- ** "הכל לטובה" ** ). That saying really helps me get through in life, with most difficulties, and makes me believe that anything that happens is really from G-d above. I think that people should really think about that quote a lot, and thank G-d for what they have, and not complain about what they don't have. ​