Trip reflections
My name is Josh Conlee and over the last ten days, I have had one of the most eye opening, self actualizing, and rewarding experiences of my 20 years on this planet. Coming on Shorashim’s Birthright Israel program, I expected a great trip and many lasting memories. However, I am going home with so much more than that. The things, which I have learned on this trip are absolutely momentous and have shaped me to be a better individual in friendships, relationships, to the strangers, and the world around me. This birthright trip entailed many exciting hikes, swimming in the Dead Sea, exploring the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and many other great materialistic things, but there was one experience, which entirely changed my outlook on my entire existence and my place in this world.
One day, we traveled to Kiryat Gat, a relatively small city on the outskirts of Israel’s Negev Desert. What we did in this city was absolutely life changing; I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. We visited an Ethiopian absorption center. This facility is there specifically to give Jews from Ethiopia a place to live, work, practice their religion free of prejudice and persecution, and, possibly most importantly, for their children to receive a full education and to grow up in happiness instead of suffering. On this day, we went to play with the kids and give them a sense of warmth, acceptance, and happiness and the feeling was absolutely overwhelming. Upon seeing us, the children’s faces lit up and it did not take long for us to start befriending them through either doing arts and crafts with some of them or by going outside and playing soccer with others. It was absolutely amazing that, even though most of us could not communicate with the children because of our language barrier, that we were able to bring them such joy from such simple things.
One thing I am taking away from this specific experience is how well off I really do have it, as a citizen of a developed nation. These children are so happy just to be alive and in a place where they can live freely. They don’t need expensive technology, cell phones, video games, or mind numbing television to make them smile. Instead, they are happy simply living where they do, with their families, with a roof over their head, and with love and warmth, rather than with hatred and intolerance. From this experience, I learned that I sometimes need to take a step back and really appreciate what I have. If I can’t always be on my phone, no big deal. If I can’t check my Facebook or my Twitter or my Instagram for a few hours, the world isn’t going to end. If I can’t send someone a text message because my cell service is poor then it can wait. If these kids can take the simple graces life granted them and be happy, so can I.
Birthright has been an astounding experience, and I would recommend that everyone takes this trip and explores his or her Jewish faith and culture. I feel that everybody-the staff, guides, and other people I met along the way-helped me to become closer with my culturally Jewish self and brought me to a better worldview and understanding of my family’s heritage. The way I see it, whether you are interested in the religious aspect of it or not, the preservation of Jewish culture is extremely important and there is no better way to experience that than in the land of Israel. If the opportunity to take a birthright trip presents itself, take it and never look back. You will learn more about yourself and your culture than you ever thought you could, and the knowledge and life lessons you go home with are inexplicably important and will make you an undoubtedly better person for both yourself and everyone around you.
-Josh Conlee
Chicago Community Summer 2014 trip.
