Trip Pictures & Quotes
Want to get a feel for what the Taglit-Birthright Israel experience with Young Judaea is all about? Check out the what are our past participants are saying about their trip?
Front page Article in "The Reflector" a local Jewish Newspaper in Richmond from our group that left on one of our Winter 2010/2011 trips!
http://www.jewishrichmond.org/
A video collage from one of our Summer 2011 Trips!
“This experience literally changed my life. YJ is like no other group that I’ve heard of – the learning is top-notch, the sites we visit are mind-boggling, and the time spent amongst my new friends is an experience that cannot be described in words…” - Shane Marcus, West Virginia
“I have seen things I never thought possible, evoked emotions I did not even know were imaginable, learned immensely about my history, and made friendships that will last a lifetime.” -David Whitman, New York
"I came on this trip by myself, on a last-minute whim, and everyone was great. After the first day, I felt really comfortable around everyone and had a good time in Israel. Thanks guys, for making my experience great!” -Mindy Gray, New York
“Although I’ve been to Israel before to visit family, this has been the most incredible 10 days of my life. There was a near perfect balance of historical, spiritual, cultural, and social programming during the trip.” -Jordan Sokolic, Chicago
Samantha Stratton, a Taglit-Birthright Israel participant with Young Judaea, wrote an article about her trip for the Voice-Tribune.
Even for some of my fellow Jews, the concept of Birthright seems a little over the top. Why do young people actually have to go to Israel to learn about it? Books, movies and lectures could probably suffice. Birthright Israel’s mission is to help Jews ages 18 to 26 find some kind of connection to the place that is at the center of their religion by showing them the land, providing an Israeli guide to explain each area visited and letting them decide the next step for themselves.
On July 10, 2011, my journey to find some kind of “connection” began. I’ve just spent more than 10 hours on a plane, flanked by complete strangers, unable to sleep and unaware of what I’m getting myself into. My group and I gather at baggage claim to retrieve the luggage we’ll carry for the next 10 days. I’m hot and eager to get out of my airplane clothes. It’s only 7:30 a.m. in Israel, and I’m already exhausted.
Our Israeli guide tells us to quickly open our checked luggage and pack a daypack. Our next destination:
Mount Arbel, which means we’ll be hiking. Then, we’ll have breakfast – after the airplane meal and lots of snacking, this will be my third “breakfast” of the day – and raft on the Jordan River. We won’t arrive at our hotel until around 6 p.m. Sounds like a sick joke, right? Well, this joke would soon become a sobering reality and possibly the best experience of my life.
During my second semester at American University, I decided on a whim to register for Birthright with two friends from my dorm. Here’s the gist of the program: If you’re Jewish and between the ages of 18 and 26, you’re eligible for a free trip to Israel. I figured, why not? I didn’t have much else going on this summer (I hadn’t yet scored my job at The Voice) and my mom had been practically begging me to sign up since I turned 18. If I had two friends joining me, it would be a lot less scary.
After I signed up and received an acceptance to the trip, I didn’t give it much thought. I saw the trip as filler for my summer boredom. I didn’t understand what Birthright was about except a free vacation with people my age. I’m now much more aware of Birthright’s mission.
Not many people actually know who started the program; all we know is that Birthright was founded by wealthy philanthropists who sought to send young Jewish people to Israel in order to bridge the gap between Israel and Jewish communities around the world. During our orientation, one of the Birthright staff members explained that this trip was a “gift” and that, in Israel, the program is called “Taglit,” which means “discovery” in Hebrew.
During that first meeting, I didn’t really connect with what this staff member was saying. However, after just a few days, I discovered more about my religion, the Middle East and myself than I could have imagined. Though referring to Birthright as a gift seemed cliché initially, I won’t hesitate to say that this trip was one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.
I’m so grateful for my experience that it is difficult to put into words.
In fact, as the trip progressed, I became more and more apprehensive of even writing this article. How was I supposed to explain the highlights of my experience when almost everything we did and saw was a highlight?
We visited places I’d only heard of in Sunday School as a child. We floated in the Dead Sea, rode camels in a Bedouin village, experienced Shabbat at the Western Wall, learned about Kabbalah in Tzfat, ascended Masada by way of the Roman Ramp and so much more.
Looking over our trip itinerary, I’m still blown away by how much we fit into 10 days and how much I enjoyed each aspect.
We also built relationships with eight Israeli soldiers who traveled and stayed with us for a portion of our journey. Hearing about their lifestyles gave me a huge amount of respect for them. But, at the same time, I realized that they were all just like me. We were the same age and liked the same TV shows and places to shop. Just one thing separated us: When I turned 18, I was preparing for college; when my Israeli friends turned 18, they were reporting for duty in the Israeli Defense Force.
Now, I realize I might be starting to sound a little brainwashed by Israel’s charm. But don’t be mistaken. I’ve heard plenty of arguments opposing my experience.
During the early stages of our trip, friends and I discussed some of the negative views circulating the media about Birthright. Opponents of the program criticize it for being a tool to lure young Jews into becoming ultra Zionists and encouraging them to make “Aliyah,” immigration to Israel, which many Zionists consider one of the highest forms of worship.
I’ve heard several defenses against Birthright in the past month – before, during and after my trip. Some suggest that the Israeli tour guides assigned to each group preach Zionism and don’t give the full story of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Others even suggest that Birthright specifically selects good-looking Israeli soldiers to persuade young girls and guys that everyone in Israel is beautiful.
I won’t use this article to defend Zionism, Judaism or even Birthright. My only goal is to describe my wonderful experience as best I can.
I sat down on a plane to Israel with a group of 39 other Jewish college students a few weeks ago. I knew two people going in. I feared I’d be surrounded by a bunch of – excuse the term – Jewish American Princesses. I worried that I’d hate the food. I dreaded having talks about Judaism.
A few days ago, I exited a plane at John F. Kennedy airport. I had to say goodbye to 47 new friends, eight of whom are Israeli soldiers.
Instead of ultra-Jewish young adults, I met mostly secular and reform people like me, who’d never truly felt a connection to their religion.
I stepped on American soil and found myself craving falafel (although we’d had it every single day for 10 days straight). I got on a plane to Louisville missing Israeli accents, debates about the Israel/Palestine conflict and the sweltering desert weather. I tried to think of the moment I really felt something emotional for Israel, the Holy Land I’ve always been told I should have a connection with. I remembered the Western Wall. We visited on one of the hottest days of our trip. Everyone had to cover his or her knees and shoulders out of respect for the holy place, which made us all even more uncomfortable. I wrote down a simple prayer on a piece of paper – nothing too emotional or soul bearing. I approached the wall to place my written prayer in one of the cracks. For some reason, I began to cry. These weren’t just a few tears, they were almost sobs.
I rejoined my friends and realized they’d been crying too. We agreed that there was this palpable feeling of sadness at the wall – hundreds of years of pain, suffering and struggle. It was something none of us had ever felt before. It showed me that I could feel something for my religion and its history.
Birthright changed me.
I won’t say it made me a better person. I’m not a staunch Zionist. I won’t even claim to be a more religious Jew. But I am more connected to my heritage, more educated about my religion and more respectful of the conflict currently affecting my homeland.
Hello YJ,
My name is Jade Barnes and I just recently landed in America having returned from the most amazing trip of my life. The Birthright opportunity is something that I have always looked into during my undergraduate courses at Temple. The application process was so nerve racking for me because I did not know if I was going to qualify, but I was overjoyed when I got the email saying that I was accepted! This trip has changed a lot about how I feel with my connection to Israel, so much that I am looking into programs for the summer after I graduate so that I can return to the country. I want to be able to do some sort of volunteer service for the country since I was given the best present to see so much of Israel.
I was also able to experience another huge present in Israel and that was the gift of having a bat mitzvah! This opportunity was amazing and something that I have wanted for a very long time. Not only has the trip allowed me to connect with Israel, I have also connected on another level with Judaism and I feel one with the religion as well as the traditions and customs that come along with it.
I wish I could write down everything of how this trip has changed me for the better. I just hope that I can express that I cannot wait to one day return in Israel and this trip has been the most amazing experience of my life.
Best,
Jade Barnes
Dear Young Judaea,
My name is Jennifer Bleznak and I was a participant on YJ Impact’s Birthright Israel Trip for the July session. I felt the need to write to you all to express my sincere gratitude for having been provided with this opportunity. The Birthright program is truly a gift. The week and a half that I was in Israel was truly the most incredible, meaningful time of my life. The other participants and I were shown as much of Israel as possible in such a short period of time and had the most wonderful time doing so. Our madrichim, Karen Karmely and Andrew Arnoff, were always available to us and were so much fun to be around. Once we arrived in Israel we met Elad Tzur, our tour guide and probably the most loved person on the trip. Elad was so eager to show Israel to us and was always accommodating and cheerful. Even our medic, Maayan Fadida was a special component to the trip. She quickly befriended us all and kept us laughing and smiling during every activity. Having Israeli soldiers join our trip for the first half was really amazing. They provided an aspect of Israeli culture that would otherwise not have been touched upon. It was really special to have them out of uniform, as well. Rather than acting like soldiers, these young adults became our friends to the point that many of us are continuing to keep in contact with them through Facebook.
The social aspect of this trip was really very special, but seeing Israel itself was the most meaningful part of the experience for me. The beauty of the design of this trip is that every place we visit is so different from the last. While some people may prefer the urban atmosphere of Tel Aviv, those who didn’t loved the ancient culture in Tzfat. Those who enjoy outdoor activities loved kayaking and hiking, while those who don’t had the opportunity to learn through seminars about various topics such as Arab-Israeli conflict. The trip is so well-rounded that it is truly impossible for a participant not to enjoy some component. From my own perspective, visiting the kotel was the most special point in the trip. I will never forget the connection I felt with G-d at the kotel, as it was truly the most meaningful moment of my entire life.
Personally, this trip to Israel changed my life and my views toward Israel. I realized just how skewed American perceptions of Israel and the Middle East are. There is certainly a great deal of conflict and animosity in the region, but no more so than most places in the world. There is probably a greater percentage of day-to-day crime in America than Israel. I truly never felt unsafe during the session. I felt at home while in Israel and never have been connected to a place before. I have always lived in America and have been blessed with an amazing family and a wonderful life here, but never have I felt a connection to the United States itself. Israel is the safe haven for all Jewish people. As one soldier, Shalom Malul told me during the trip, “Israeli soldiers don’t only fight for Israeli citizens; they fight for all of the Jewish people around the world.”
I would like to sincerely thank you for this amazing opportunity. I learned so much about myself and my heritage. I will never forget the friends I made on this trip and the places that I saw.
Thank you again for providing me with such an incredible experience this summer.
- Jenny Bleznak, New Jersey
Dear Young Judaea,
I just wanted to thank you for helping make Caity and my Birthright trip possible. It was truly an incredible experience and sharing it with Caity made it all the more special. Whether it was hiking in the Negev dessert, floating in the Dead Sea, or experiencing some incredible view from Tzfat, Israel is a beautiful country. We had an incredible guide, who seemed unable to be stumped. He was incredibly informative, presented the information in an intelligent way, and made sure we hit all our destinations (Gill Hoffman, I believe). The part that really touched me, however, was the Western Wall. While it is true that I was hiking in the same dessert as our ancestors, I was doing it for fun and felt safe the whole time, so I didn't really get to experience it the way people did in the past. At the Western Wall, though, as I prayed, I thought of all the Jews from all over the world who are there now, who have been there through the hundreds of years prior, and all the Jews still to come. It was truly a powerful moment.
Caity and I have already seen a few members of our group and still keep in touch with many of them. Also, before I forget, Andrew Fretwell was one of our staff members, and he was also excellent. Between Andrew and Gill, I thought we really lucked out with two people who were just as likely to have us on the front of our seats interested in the historic nature of a place we were visiting as they were leaning back laughing at some of their stories.
I have already been promoting Birthright to my Jewish friends in the area, what a wonderful program.
Jon Farber
A Real Simha
www.hadassahmagazine.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx
On a recent Taglit-Birthright Israel trip run by YJ Impact, six young adults shared a special experience: celebrating their bar and bat mitzvas in Jerusalem.
The participants approached Russell Heller, the American counselor traveling with the group, asking if it would be possible to celebrate this Jewish milestone while in Israel, since none of them had had one before.
The ceremony was held on a Thursday morning in May at the Southern Wall excavations near the Western Wall. Heller called the young people by their Hebrew names and asked them to join him under a talit to recite the blessings customarily said upon being called up to the Torah. He read the day’s Torah portion, and the participants recited the concluding blessing. When the ceremony was over, the crowd broke into spontaneous song and dance.
“Having the ceremony and experiencing everything that was around me those two weeks [of Birthright]…is just...indescribable,” said Lauren Levine, 23, from West Palm Beach, Florida. “I didn’t know there was a part of me missing before going on the trip, but I discovered and found that part…. I will cherish [what that trip and ceremony meant to me] forever.”
“It was great to see that all of these participants had come on Birthright not only to connect to the land and people of Israel, but to also reconnect with their own personal Jewish identities,” said Heller.
