Yael Sahar is the Year Course Bat Yam City Coordinator

This year will be my second year staffing one of the Olami trips on Year course. I believe that the trips around the world give our Year Course participants an opportunity to break out of their routine for a week and explore Jewish life in a different country and a different culture. This year we will be going together to Morocco, and the trip will focus on the experience of the Moroccan Jews who lived under Muslim rule since the 7th century and created a unique and rich heritage. In my opinion Morocco as a country has the best combination of colors, music and taste and at the same time have a rich Jewish history that we can learn about and a Jewish community there that we can meet. We will visit Casablanca, Morocco’s largest metropolis, and will go to one of the biggest mosque, Hassan II mosque. In Marrakesh we will stroll around the colorful markets and in Meknes we will walk through the Medina to search for the childhood home of Moshik’s (the executive director of Young Judaea Israel) great grandfather. On the last day we will hike down to see the breathtaking waterfalls of the Atlas Mountains.

This is a once in a life time opportunity and I’m so great full to be a part of it!

Lena Elkins is a part of the Young Judaea Marketing Team in Israel. Having recently graduated from the University of Oregon, she made Aliyah in August and now resides in Tel Aviv.

I have now lived in Israel through two wars. I have been minutes away from terrorist attacks and have survived the shared Israeli experience of calling loved ones to make sure they’re safe. This past week’s bus attack in Tel Aviv was no exception- the moment I heard the news it shook me to my core, millions of upsetting thoughts racing through my head. But then I watched as Israelis bravely continued on, celebrating life, and a certain level of sanity was restored. I have accepted that this is the reality of living in this country, and getting through the trauma of these experiences has only made me closer to my new Israeli family, and this new place I call home.

Shortly after making Aliyah, I began working for Young Judaea. I was instantly inspired by the amount of involvement our program participants have in all facets of Israeli society, including volunteering in Magen David Adam (Israeli Red Cross). Knowing that three of our current Year Course MDA participants were at the scene of the Tel Aviv attack last week, medically trained and ready to assist, brought me an immense amount of pride. This is Young Judaea, I thought. This is modern day Zionism at work.

Although I didn’t grow up in Young Judaea myself (I’m from northern California, where Young Judaea isn’t well known), I know dozens of young people who have grown up in YJ summer camps and have gone on to participate in Year Course. This includes my sister, who after graduating from high school attended Year Course not knowing a single person. During those nine months, I watched the gap year transform her life. Year Course supported her in evolving into who she is now: a strong, passionate, educated Zionist who proudly serves as a solder in the Israeli Defense Forces. Although Madi is a very special young woman, her experience is not unique. Year Course has the profound ability to improve the quality of someone’s life, to enhance their future, and present opportunities never thought possible.

From what we see on the news, I understand why American parents fear sending their children here for long term programs. I see it in my own parents, who now have two daughters living in Israel as Israeli citizens, one serving in the IDF. It isn’t easy. But I also see the other side, the side that makes programs like Young Judaea Year Course so essential. If young American Jews don’t understand Israel, how are they expected to love and support it? How can they build a relationship with this country if they’re not here, at least for a short time? This is what I find most beautiful about Year Course: young people given the opportunity to invest in their relationship with Israel. Young people investing in themselves and their Jewish identities by  immersing themselves here. And most importantly, young people feeling they’re making an impact and a part of the Israeli story. To me, as a Zionist, there is nothing more powerful than that.

I don’t regret not going on Year Course as an 18 year old, because my path through college led me to making Aliyah anyway. But there is nothing I can encourage more to high school seniors than to take an opportunity like this. This is your chance to become a part of a story, a future and a vision so much bigger than yourself. This country can become a part of who you are, and that will last a lifetime. Not many 18 year olds can say that.

 

 

By Miram Roday, Year Course participant

We began our final Siyur at an archeological site wedged between the Old City and Har Zion. Our group descended windy steps overlooking a pleasant view of Jerusalem, then began a session with Aron, the archeologist. He discussed the architecture of the First Temple and the Jewish presence at the Temple Mount. He used a large stone model, meant to resemble the stones of the Kotel, to showcase photographs of important artifacts/memorable items from the Temple times. For roughly half an hour we worked in groups of 2-3 washing and sifting through buckets of dirt and rocks. We found mostly found pottery, bones, glass and mosaics  (the Singapore group discovered a coin from a bucket Rob selected, supposedly!). Later when volunteers finished sifting, the trained archeologists washed the findings and attempted to identify/label the date of the artifacts. This site is unique for two reasons- untrained amateurs are allowed to dig and uncover material as we did AND it’s the only dig in the world where the excavation is not at the original site, aka the Temple Mount. Overall it was an engaging and interesting morning, and we learned that according to Aron, archeology is the best way to appreciate Israel’s history.

We then broke for lunch and reconvened for a panel of three religions leaders who discussed issues of ecology. The Jewish prospective presented spirituality as one solution to the world’s environmental problems. The rabbi also mentioned that our culture of consumerism and our pleasure-seeking society are complicit in, if not the cause of our depleted natural resources and destroyed environment. Yasmin then presented Islam’s view and said the following–we live a short finite life. It’s essential we act as though we are living forever. Live religion, she said, as though you will die tomorrow. Finally, the Christian priest spoke about mentality. He quoted a very memorable philosophy—”attitude determines altitude.” He said if we as a society don’t care about our world, we will suffer and be forced to live marginal poor lives; therefore our progress is dependent on our attitude adjustment.

Ultimately, I agree with these spiritual leaders—humanity is interconnected. There are severe environmental problems that must be addressed, actions that must be taken and bottom line is, we are all responsible. First, we must reassess and adjust our cultural and societal values—then and only then are we on our way to a peaceful, less wasteful planet.

 

By Michael Nimaroff, Kedma participant

Hebron: the city where our patriarchs and matriarchs, Abraham, Yaakov, Sarah and Leah were buried. A city venerated by Judaism and Islam, Hebron has seen many figures of authority throughout its history. From the Canaanites, to the Crusaders, to the Ottomans, to Israel, Hebron is now currently under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Today, this city with so much history is a land divided.

When we arrived in Hebron, we were greeted by a member of Breaking the Silence, an organization founded by Israelis who spent their army service in Hebron. Breaking the Silence compiles testimonies of soldiers’ experiences in order educate the Israeli public on IDF military presence in the West Bank. The city of Hebron accounts for one third of the West Bank’s Gross Domestic Product, yet the center of the city was much different and quieter than any city I had seen before. Our tour guide informed us that due to Israeli presence and violence caused during the second Intifada, many apartments had been abandoned and shops had been forced to close down. I was personally troubled by how much the Israeli government caters to all the needs of the Jewish minority in Hebron, at the cost of the Palestine majority. Our tour guide, Nadav, told us us that many settlers have incited violence towards Palestinian homes, by throwing rocks (which now have led many to place metal cages around their windows) and placing garbage on Palestinian property. I was also disturbed that many Palestinians cannot take certain roads and have to take back roads to reach their destinations.

After our tour and lunch, we descended by bus through a vacant street that once had a thriving Arab market. We then made our way toward Avraham Avinu, a Jewish settlement inside Hebron. As we walked, we transcended into a entirely different world. It was a strong, close-knit Jewish community with kids playing in the local square, surrounded by homes and soldiers on the roof tops  to ensure their security. The community was surrounded by Palestinian neighborhoods on all sides.  In the local Shul (which was destroyed in the 1929 Hebron Massacre and has since been restored), we met a neighborhood resident and tour guide, Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum, who informed us of the Jewish perspective. We learned about the community and the need of a Jewish presence in Hebron due to the religious significance from the Bible. He invited us to his home, where we discussed the many issues and questions we had. After conversing in the Rabbi’s home, we made our way to the Tomb of the Patriarchs, where Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum discussed the religious significance behind it. We went inside and were given time to reflect, meditate and pray at the tombs of our ancestors.

The day was not over. We then made our way north towards Gush Etzion, specifically to a yishuv known as Elizar. Here, we saw a regular settlement, which was much different from Hebron. We met a member of the community who told us the history of this young community. I made little connection to what she was saying, and couldn’t help but gaze at the glorious sunset and think about what I had seen today. The lack of mobility, the violence on both sides- what is this all worth? How many lives are we willing to put at risk for the Jewish homeland, and what stands in the way of peace? I have no answers. As I gaze into the distance I realize that this conflict is not about roads, or checkpoints and settlements. It is so much greater, and far beyond my understanding. All I know is that it will take both sides and time to mend the hate into love.

Tali Burger is a madricha on Yama. Originally from Miami, Florida, Tali participated on Year Course in 2010-2011 and recently graduated from the University of Vermont.

When I think of Thanksgiving, I certainly don’t think of living in Bat Yam, Israel — I think of blue skies, 70 degree weather, the Macy’s Day parade, the Miami Dolphins football game, incredible food, and of course, my family. Until I went on Young Judaea Year Course four years ago, this kind of Thanksgiving was traditional for me. It was not until this year, a few months after graduating from the University of Vermont and moving to Israel, that I realized I had to create Thanksgiving traditions of my own in order to feel a part of this holiday which means so much to me. When I was a participant on Young Judaea Year Course in 2010, I had a festive Thanksgiving dinner with British and American girls. It was far from my traditional meal, which dampened the mood and reminded me how far away from home I was. Forget turkey, there wasn’t even chicken on the table! At that time, a time of transition out of high school and into college, I did not realize that this would be the first of many non-traditional traditional meals for me.

A new chapter of my life has begun since graduating university and accepting a job offer as a madricha on Year Course. I knew that this was not going to be an easy year, especially being away from my friends and family at home. Although it has been emotionally challenging, I have been able to celebrate the Jewish holidays the way I want to with people I enjoy. Celebrating Thanksgiving in this new chapter of my life is just as exciting for me, knowing that I can now be a part of new chanichims’ Thanksgiving experiences. As a madricha on this program, I do all that I can to help the participants feel comfortable and excited to live in this country. For Thanksgiving, I get to help create their first non-traditional holiday away from home. I get to be apart of their new community, new friends, and new family.

This Thursday night in Bat Yam, there will be a little room filled with at least 40 Americans, a few Canadians, and many Israelis, dining together away from their families and friends, but celebrating what they are thankful for. The other madrichot and I will create an environment that helps everyone feel a sense of togetherness and home. This Thanksgiving will hopefully never be forgotten by the chanichim. I know that I won’t forget it — it is the first Thanksgiving where I get to help create these young adults’ first untraditional traditional holiday in Israel. I feel very grateful to be in this position, and to be a part of such a special time in their lives. I am so excited that I still get to see blue skies, feel 60 degree Bat Yam weather, watch the Macy’s Day parade and the Miami Dolphins football game online, and eat incredible food, while sitting amongst my new Year Course family.

By Ari Chesterman, Year Course 2014-2015

Feelings of excitement and nervousness mixed in my chest as I set out on my first ever siyur of Young Judaea’s Year Course program.  The more this hot day passed by, the more I began to realize just how much fun this year was going to be.

We traveled as a group to the City of David. I had been there twice before, but this time was different. In the past I had not gone with a tour guide specifically from City of David. I was also surrounded by my peers this time. Over this trip I learned a lesson I hadn’t discovered with my previous visits.  Different is not always bad.  This visit to City of David certainly was different than my previous visits, but was a good thing. Avreimy, our tour guide, made the experience a cross between educational and interesting. Not to mention, ice cream was amazing.

We started off on a bus that took us to a spot a little bit outside City of David and continued on to the main plaza outside of the archeological site. I thought we were meeting was just another tour guide. It became abundantly clear I was wrong. Before we even started the tour he gave us some background about himself, including a story about the importance of names. In fact, Avreimy, born Avraham, was soon given his nickname of Avreimy, which he tried to ditch as a teenager. He came close to going by Max, but it didn’t stick due to a friend’s meddling. As we walked around a little bit I was pleasantly surprised to see how energetic and knowledgeable Avreimy was. His overall demeanor made the tour fun, and his thorough explanations made the tour informative.

 

After his introduction, he took us up a staircase and onto a roof of an old building and from there we could see the most beautiful panoramic view of Jerusalem.  Avreimy used us to represent different locations, like the Temple and other surrounding important historical buildings. Then we continued down to the tunnels. This was my third time going through the tunnels and it was also the best experience I have had walking through the tunnels. We spent the entire walk through knee deep in water, belting out songs, and I truly believe that my class connected as a group. Something about walking in the dark belting out Disney songs helps you bond.

Each location we stopped at held new and valuable information. [just put one thing you learned at each stop and why it proves the Bible happened or didn’t] [conclude with something among the lines that it provides convincing proof of small aspects of the Bible, but doesn’t come close to proving David was the the location]

I learned so many new and exciting facts on this trip, i definitely this that it was a winner. What an amazing start to what is clearly going to be an amazing year

In late September, Rabbi Rob Kahn led his Zionist History class to Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem for a siyur, or trip, into the origins of Modern Zionism.  Below are two reflections from the trip written by two of Rob’s students.

 Is Israel living up to Herzl’s dream?

by Naomi Solkowitz

As a Judaean I have spent a lot of time learning about Theodore Herzl by reading the Zionist idea, visiting Har Herzl on Machon (Young Judaea’s Summer Program in Israel), but today, after visiting Har Herzl I started to wonder whether Israel is truly living up to Herzl’s dream.

Herzl’s plan was to give the Jews sovereignty and create a state for the Jews. This is where the first issue comes up. Is Israel a “State for the Jews” or a “Jewish State”? Israel is a Jewish State. Israeli law is based on Jewish law and Jewish values and Jewish holidays are national holidays. Restaurants are kosher, buses do not run on Shabbat and Ben Gurion airport closes on Yom Kippur. Of course these are all generalizations, but they are all little things that make Israel a Jewish State.

In Herzl’s writing when approached with the question about language he says “We cannot converse with one another in Hebrew.” Herzl wanted a common language to be spoken. Herzl wanted “those miserable stunted jargons” to be lost. Herzl’s idea of Political Zionism included Israel being a great, exemplary nation that would be able to work with other countries, but he did not think Israel could be that nation if they spoke a dead language. Furthermore, Hebrew is another example of how Israel is a Jewish State, and not a State for the Jews. The Jewish People in Israel brought back Hebrew to revive their religion and culture.

Getting to the big question, Herzl’s goal in his Zionist idea was to get rid of Anti-Semitism, “if we only begin to carry out the plans, Anti-Semitism would stop at once and for ever. For it is the conclusion of peace.” Look at what is happening in Europe, more specifically in England and France. Of course Israel is always a safe haven for people to escape Anti-Semitism, but the creation of the State of Israel absolutely did not stop Anti-Semitism. In that sense Israel was a failure to the Jewish Question.

Although there are many things that Israel does not fulfill according to Herzl’s dream, Jews have their sovereignty and have a place to go to escape Anti-Semintism. Israel, while it has many flaws, is still an exemplary country with many Start Ups and achievements in the world.

Herzl and Ahad Ha’am: Contrasting Visions

By Dana Little

The second siyur that Rob Kahn’s Zionism class went on was to Mount Herzl. This was convenient being that Herzl was the founding father of Zionism. An outline of the day was: visited Herzl’s grave, read inserts of Herzl’s plan to establish the state of Israel, toured the Herzl museum, answered questions about Herzl, read about Asher Ginsberg (Ahad Ha’am), compared and contrasted his plan of establishing Israel to that of Herzl’s and said our closing words around the grave of Herzl.

I learned a lot on this trip both about Herzl and the establishment of the state of Israel. Herzl was not the first person to call for the creation of a Jewish state, however he created a movement that marked out a path exactly how to do so. He led the Zionist movement from 1897 until his death in 1904. He wrote down specifically what he envisioned the state of Israel, the Jewish homeland, in Der Judenstaat. He believed that with the establishment of the Jewish state, people could come together in an environment free of racial Anti-Semitism. He was the founder of political Zionism.

I found the Herzl museum very interesting, informative and effective. It was a very unique museum for it was a motion picture telling the story of an actor rehearsing for his role as Herzl. After the museum, we read an insert of Ahad Ha’am. We learned that Ahad Ha’am did not agree with much of what Herzl recommended, rather he criticized most of it and thought differently. He believed that with the creation of small Jewish settlements, that would lead to a state. Also, with the state of Israel, it would help reinforce Jewish life in the Diaspora.

Ahad Ha’am was the founder of cultural Zionism. Together as a class, we charted the differences between Herzl and Ahad Ha’am. They contrasted in certain ways such as Herzl said the language of the Jewish state would be the majority of what the people were speaking, however Ahad Ha’am said Hebrew. Herzl said the location of the Jewish state was less important than the fact of its existence, while Ahad Ha’am insisted that it be in Israel. By contrasting the two leaders, we were able to make some conclusions about which parts of Israel were influenced by which leader. The last moments of the siyur, we watched as groups of soldiers paid homage to Herzl’s grave. As a class, we then surrounded his grave and said some last words. This siyur helped me connect to Israel in a way that I was proud. I was proud for what Israel, as a state, had accomplished. Even though Herzl was not alive to witness the establishment of Israel in 1948, his dreams for a Jewish state ultimately came true. This gives me a good feeling

By Rabbi Yossela Ote
Director of Jewish Content for Shalem track of Year Course

Every so often we invite good friends for Shabbat meal. One time, a few years ago, after eating delicious food, having wonderful conversations, talking Torah, and singing songs, it was time for our guests to leave. When the meal was over, I accompanied them to their car and they drove back home. As I walked back inside I noticed my neighbor’s glare, as if to say, “Why bother? They are desecrating the holy Shabbat!” Before bed, my son turned to me and asked, “How can they drive back home if we aren’t allowed to drive on Shabbat?” I responded with a story. When I was his age in America I used to sit on the steps of my building and wish my non-Jewish neighbors “Shabbat Shalom” because most important is our respect and acceptance of others and not whether we practice in the same way.

 

Differences are everywhere; it is easy to forget that we were all created in the Divine image. Ultra-Orthodox schools see only one way to practice the faith.  Too often Modern Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews emphasize doctrinal disputes with each other, ignoring their shared ideological core. The secular crowd finds it difficult to relate to religious Jews of all stripes and their passion for seemingly nonsensical rituals. In the end these divisions distract us from a central tenet of Judaism, “כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה” All Jews are responsible for one another.  It is up to each and every one of us to remember that pluralism is an essential part of Torah. As parents and educators we have the obligation to teach our children Ahavat Chinam – אהבת חינם, unconditional love. “V’ahavta l’reiacha kamocha,” we should be confident enough in our level of religious observance to embrace others in the way we would want to be loved.

 

The holidays, strategically positioned throughout the year, truly demonstrate our ability to connect and come together to celebrate our religion, our culture, and our customs. Every so often, Jews of all types, ages, and styles unite to rejoice and pray together as part of the Jewish nation. It is at those times that our feeling of camaraderie is tangible, our sense of national and religious pride heightened. Israel is a magical place. Israel, during the time of the chagim, even more.

Take Yom Kippur for example. Some might think I’m crazy, but Yom Kippur is my favorite holiday. There is something utterly raw, genuinely spiritual, and amazingly pure about this time. It is the one day a year when we are solely focused on connecting to God. No material distractions, no physical interruptions. We channel our entire selves, bodies and souls, towards the purpose of conversing with a higher power. The unique divine aura surrounding this day is enhanced by the fact that all Jews, religious and secular, put their differences aside and gather in synagogue together to pray before the gates of Heaven.

Soon after, the four species of Sukkot represent a similar message. Each of the four species has distinct features and special qualities. The etrog has taste and scent. The hadas has scent but no taste. The lulav has taste but no scent. The arava has neither taste nor scent. On this holiday they are assembled and used as one component, for each of these is fine separately, but when united, they form a greater entity, a synthesis of senses, a fusion of assorted attributes. They serve as a reminder that we can be gifted and skilled as individuals , but that together we form a stronger, superior unit.

 

On Chanuka and Purim we recreate times when Jewish people fought for their lives, sacrificed everything to allow our Jewish values to shine through, and on Pesach we once again invite strangers into our home, recognizing Jews of all colors, shapes, and sizes, to celebrate God’s miracles together. On the ninth of Av, the temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred (sinat chinam – שינת חינם). But in Elul we are given a chance to delve deep inside ourselves, repent, and on Rosh Hashana, start anew with the opposite of baseless hatred: unconditional love.

 

The period of sefirat ha’omer represents a turning point in our identity as a nation. We emerged from slavery in Egypt as a free people but had not yet received the Torah. Standing collectively at Sinai symbolized our unity. Despite our differences, we bonded as a family. When we mourn innocent lives lost in the Holocaust, memorialize soldiers who have fallen in our wars, and honor loved ones brutally murdered in terrorist attacks, we know that we are all brothers and sisters. We have all lost and we can all recover. We rejoice on Independence Day and celebrate Yom Yerushalayim as one.

 

We have the same shared history. We are people of the same nation. In an era so infatuated with hatred of the other, the least we can do is show active tolerance towards each other as members of one faith, one family. We value God by acknowledging diversity, by gladly and openly accepting all streams of Judaism into our homes and into our hearts. We can be models of unity and accord, inspiring others with our enthusiasm and welcoming embrace.

 

So, yes, I happily say “Shabbat Shalom” and “chag sameach” to my non-religious neighbors. I feel privileged to learn with religious and secular students who come here, to the core of Jewish existence, to grow spiritually, showing mutual admiration for Jews from all walks of life. I associate with people who don’t necessarily have the same customs or practice as I. We are friendly, loving, and good to each other. For, especially around the holidays, when we all commemorate the past and honor our Jewish heritage, we try our hardest to see in each other the divine spark and remember that although we differ, we are family.

by Yael Sahar, Bat Yam Coordinator
Young Judaea Year Course in Israel

Today we are finishing our first week of  Marva and MADA prep week.  First, let me translate and explain.  Marva is an eight week simulation of IDF basic training held in Southern Israel and MADA, short for Magen David Adom, is the Israeli counterpart of the Red Cross.  Year Coursers in Bat Yam have the option of signing up for one of these options instead of traditional volunteering in Bat Yam or Yemin Orde.  Because of the High Holidays, both MADA and Marva participants have a week in their schedule in which their friends are already volunteering, but their programs have yet to start.  To some this may seem like a challenge, but we see it as an opportunity to impart our shared values on the participants and to give back to Bat Yam.

These chanichim have been doing social action projects throughout the week focusing on four different areas of need in the local community.  Several participants have been volunteering in a soup kitchen and a second group has been teaching about Sukkot in both English and Hebrew in local schools.  Still another team has been working in a soap factory run by and for people with psychological needs, while our “Extreme Home Makeover” group has been painting and fixing houses renovating gardens, and painting benches.  In addition to all of this, we had a fundraiser activity in which the chanichim made chocolate graham cracker desserts and sold them, raising over 200 Shekels for a local charity.

While this past week’s work would be justified on its own, there was a second reason that we asked our MADA and Marva volunteers to engage in these projects.  A number of times this week we have sat in our groups and used our activities as a trigger to discuss issues of social action, volunteerism, and community work in Israel, in the Jewish tradition, and in the broader world.  While Marva is a valuable and truly Israeli experience and our soon-to-be-medics will give back to the community daily by literally saving lives, we don’t want them to miss out on the service learning experience that has been central to Young Judaea’s core mission since the movement’s inception.  It is not only the act of helping, contributing, and giving, but the lessons behind it that are important.  As the director of Bat Yam programs I get to see hundreds of examples of true giving from our Year Course and Amirim participants, but I must say that I am particularly proud of the work of our MADA and Marva participants this week.

by Noah Berman, Marketing and Communications Associate
Young Judaea in Israel

On Sunday, September 14^th, I was fortunate enough to get to interview author, historian, and Young Judaea alumnus Professor Gil Troy of McGill University.  Prof. Troy was speaking at the Yad Ben Tzvi Auditorium in Jerusalem for the inaugural Young Judaea Israel Alumni Lecture Series about the role of “aspirational Zionism” as compared to survival Zionism.  It was the fulfillment of one of my Young Judork dreams to sit next to Gil and help moderate what he insisted be a conversation and not a lecture.  I remember reading his book “Why I am a Zionist” as an impressionable teenager, on the suggestion of a friend from Young Judaea, and feeling invigorated to create a utopian Jewish State as a result.  The thought of discussing his interpretation of the utopianism, or aspirational Zionism as he termed it, got me excited, even if it had to be in front of over 200 participants, staff, and alumni.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover after Gil’s impressive introductory remarks that davka having an auditorium wide conversation, including an “unmoderated caucus,” left me more invigorated than my first introduction to Prof. Troy’s work ten years ago.  Seeing so many Judaeans – some only a week into their first Young Judaea program – listening, speaking, and arguing over the future of Zionism was inspiring.  Working in marketing, I sometimes get bogged down in statistics and don’t get to see the impact of YJ’s programs.  This conversation was certainly an exception.

There was a certain electricity on the bus back to Tel Aviv with WUJS.   Many of the 33 twenty-somethings on the program were eager to talk more about the topics from the lecture.  Questions were being thrown out and debated.  What do we do regarding the Green Line?  How do we address the religious-secular divide?  How do we (and can we) pursue nationalism in a post-nationalist global arena?  I had an interesting discussion with Liba, the WUJS madricha in which she argued that these conversations should revolve around how we perfect Israel and how we use the State as a tool to improve the world.  Disembarking in Florentin, I walked home buzzing with excitement.  I stopped for a bite at the pizzeria and couldn’t help but smile at the cashier and his friend sitting across from me.  Instead of giving me the “why would you smile at a stranger” look so common where I’m from, they tried talking to me and even asked if it was ok with me if they smoked cigarettes – I have to note that this is the first time an Israeli has EVER asked me that.

It got me thinking how our personal actions can be a microcosm of how we bring “aspirational Zionism” to life and how important it is that our programs continue to strive to build dedicated Zionists, social activists, but most importantly mensches – upright decent people who are considerate, listen, and ask, just like the audience did when listening to Gil.