The first time I traveled to Israel was when I was fourteen and then most recently…
Have you ever thought to yourself what you consider the most Jewish food? How about your first memory of a Jewish ceremony? How do you really feel about Israel? All these and more are questions surrounding the self-discovery meant to take place on a Birthright Israel trip.
Today’s generations have distractions available at all times. In such an environment, when can one have the time to stop and process who they are and what they are a part of? Furthermore, when can a modern-day American Jew take a step towards understanding the Jewish part of their identity? That’s what we’re here for as Birthright Israel Tour Educators.
What is Birthright Israel?
Birthright Israel is a no-strings-attached journey meant for any young Jewish adult regardless of their background, relation to Israel, or connection to their heritage. It’s meant for those who wouldn’t have had the opportunity to come to Israel or had any interest in exploring the Jewish homeland except for the fact it’s a free trip. Birthright Israel is meant for those young adults who could have been lost to Israel and the Jewish people.
The Role of Birthright Israel Tour Educators
To make the trip not only fun but meaningful too is also the role of the tour educators like myself. The tour educator is not only responsible for the logistical needs of the trip but also for the spiritual needs of the participants. This way, the participants come to a better understanding of themselves and Israel.
Learning Through Music
As a tour educator, my job is to ensure that the group goes through the trip safely, securely, happily, healthily, and meaningfully. That meaning is threefold: self-discovery, Israel discovery, and Jewish discovery. But before such a discovery is even possible, a tour educator must be capable of making an impact. One challenge that tour educators face is how to interest, impact, or help the participants to feel something. My preferred method is music. Music can inspire and encourage us, and through it, I can ensure that my participants feel what the story entails. My hope when I add known songs to my tours is also aimed toward when the trip is over after they return home. Hopefully, the next time they hear the song “Freedom” by Django, they’ll remember the experience they had on Masada and how they felt on top of the mountain.
Introducing Participants to Israel & Israelis
Another aspect of Birthright Israel I truly enjoy is introducing the participants to Israel and Israelis. Whether it’s when we learn Israeli folk dancing (it’s not all hora!) or simply when they come up to Israelis in small groups to fulfill a task they were given (take a selfie with a soldier, for example). This enables them to understand that behind the chutzpa and seemingly crass exteriors, Israelis consider themselves all one big family. The group feels included in this family, or shall I say mishpacha.
The last aspect that I designate for my participants, besides learning about themselves, learning about Israel and Israelis, they learn about Judaism. For some participants, it’s their first-time observing Shabbat, seeing how the streets empty up from cars, the stores close, and the quiet that encompasses everything. For others, it can be their first time visiting the Kotel and even celebrating their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and most all understanding maybe for the first time how fortunate they are to be Jewish.
All these aspects make my job purposeful and encourage me to do it and hopefully ensure the Jewish future.
