It has always been my dream to visit Israel. And when my parents decided they would…
On the first day of school, nearly every year, each of my classes handed out the infamous questionnaire designed to introduce students to one another. Everybody is aware of the daunting feelings brewing inside of the person whose turn is approaching as they prepare to compile brief answers about their personal lives and interests. “Where are you from? What is your favorite color? What sports do you play? If you had to pick one place in the world to travel to for the first time, where would you go?” In regards to the latter question, my answer, without a doubt in my mind, was always “Israel!”
Growing up, from sources at my local synagogue, Ohev Shalom, I had heard rave reviews, particularly about the Birthright Israel experience. In addition, from a young age, the importance of Israel in connection to the Jewish faith was consistently instilled into my Hebrew School curriculum and thus conveyed to me and the other students. This, paired with my family’s support of, and prior visit to (without a pre-teen me), Israel, placed the country on top of my bucket list. Attending the University of Pittsburgh and dually becoming involved with the Chabad branch on campus, captained by our wonderful Rabbi Shmuli, increased my desire to partake in a Birthright Israel trip tenfold. After overcoming a slew of passport renewal struggles, I was ready and more eager than ever before to visit the Holy Land with the accompaniment of a group of some of my closest friends!
Before heading to Israel, I was very unsure of what to expect throughout the duration of my trip. I had no clue as to the geographic arrangement of the country and its primary cities, as well as very little knowledge pertaining to the daily habits and culture of the Israeli people. I had a lot to learn and was very eager to do so!
I grew up with a conservative form of Judaism defining my beliefs and religious scope; in my area, this largely conveys that I prayed in both Hebrew and English. A relatively modernized form of religious belief was a central focal point of our learning and the cultivation of an appreciation for the Jewish homeland of Israel.
In Israel, I learned that Judaism can be practiced in a litany of differing manners; there is no one correct way to practice the religion. Implicitly, there are a certain set of guidelines that pertain to the practice of our sacred religion, but each person’s interpretation and practice of these rules can vary. This was very interesting for me to learn, as it expressed the wide scale range and flexibility of our unique and accepting faith.
On the morning of the arrival of the Israeli soldiers, I found myself a tad nervous — I had no clue what to expect! As the soldiers, one by one, entered our bus to the tune of background ‘Rocky’ music playing, I even began to become slightly intimidated!
However, in the span of a few following minutes, any fear and worry that I had dissipated into the hot Israeli air. I truly believe that our group of soldiers were individually hand-picked as the most fun-loving and intriguing newcomers that the IDF could offer. Throughout the few days that the soldiers accompanied our Birthright Israel group, I learned more than I could ever have imagined regarding the daily lives of Israeli folk, as well as about the country and its affairs as a whole. I can only hope that our Israeli friends learned half as much about America as we did about Israel, as they were also interested in learning about our livelihoods back home.
Thank You
To the 40,000 donors each year, who provide the once-in-a-lifetime gift of Birthright Israel Foundation and to young Jews such as myself, I extend a maximum extent of gratitude and appreciation. I would certainly recommend this trip to any Jew looking to learn more about their people’s history, beliefs, and culture. From touring the grandiose city of Tiberius to having a truly awe-inspiring night at the Western Wall to exploring the happiest city on Earth: Tel Aviv, to spending a desert night in the Bedouin tents, to experiencing Shabbat in Jerusalem, to becoming spiritually enriched in Tzfat, and everything in between, I fostered a royally enhanced internal appreciation of my belief in, and appreciation of, Judaism.
I have only been about a month removed from my trip to the Holy Land, but to this day, I still feel the powerful influence of the experience every passing day. As far as I am aware, this effect has also been felt by my friends, both the group I traveled with and all of the new people whom I am thankful to have met along the way. I look forward to continuing the expansion of my practice of the Jewish faith, as well as one day returning to Israel! Israel has shifted from being an almost mythical focal point of my love of Judaism to now being a tangible center of my Jewish beliefs and correlating future ambitions. My connection to the Jewish faith has truly been enhanced in what I hope, and believe to be, an irreversible manner as per its magnitude.
My only complaint about the entire experience is that now, I need to go about picking a new ‘bucket list’ place to travel to — and one that I know will never be able to top my former selection!
