Ongoing Amazement
What a fantastic trip this has been. Mid way through the trip we had thee opportunity to share with the group how we have progressed on the trip with regard to meeting our expectations through learning, experiencing, and processing this state and culture. I came into this trip with no expectations other than to make some amazing friends and to connect with Jewish community in Boston. Until this trip, I have can honestly confess that I have never thought critically about "Jewish" issues, the protection of the Jewish homeland, the lives on the IDF soldiers, the safety and security of the Jewish people, etc. My grandmother has always been a huge advocate for the State of Israel and believed that the US should support the state at any expense. After learning about the history of this state, its founding, its creed, and learning about these issues from Israelis directly, I am beginning to appreciate my grandmothers point of view. I understand why the soldier here feel so passionately about their homeland and I am learning why the safety and security of the Jews and the people of Israel is at stake every day. After this trip, I am inspired to learn more about what is going on with Israel in the news and keeping with with affairs in this part of our world. I believe that the protection of the state of Israel is also something which I will greatly consider in elections and US political movements.
Exploring Yad Vashem - the Holocaust memorial and museum in Jerusalem was both heartbreaking and rewarding at the same time. I feel that seeing a survey of these events is difficult and emotionally draining, but something which I have a duty to do. After about 15 minutes in the museum, I became almost emotionally- void. I don't even believe that I possess the ability to process such hatred, such disgust, or the severity of such acts. For me, the most difficult part of the holocaust to process is the number- six million. This is truly a number to struggle with. The last room of the museum was the most intense for me- my emotions kicked in and I broke down. That number- six million- was displayed for me through volumes of records in a circular room with four million names written in the books, and empty shelf space for the other two million who perished that are unknown. After this, we got to put a face to what we surveyed by meeting a holocaust survivor who has dedicated his life to educating people about this tragedy. He said that if there is one thing we can do in honor of those who have survived- it is to continue telling their stories.
Staying with the Bedouin people in the middle of the desert was a crazy experience. Nomadic culture is one which is not thriving in the USA but it still alive and well in Israel. It is exciting to meet people with a different way of life, who have resisted the move to cities, the dependance on coordinated industry, and the first-world way of life. Meeting the Bedouin people and living with them for a night allowed me to see the lifestyle of a simple people who fulfill their needs off of less in a way which we do not see many (if any) doing so in the USA. There is almost something noble about this way of life.
This whole trip has been fascinating and well worth taking off two weeks from work. I am so glad that I came, and understand why all of my friends have had such great things to say about Birthright. I cannot wait to get home and tell my friends of all that I have learned and the experiences I created with the fabulous participants from this trip. Tonight is the last night here, I cannot wait to start planning my next trip to Israel
