Israel

Korrin B.

October 25, 2009 - 8:35 PM

Why? Because I'm going!!!!!!!

A few days ago, it became official that this December, I will be boarding a plane and traveling to Israel for ten days. Israel, a land of so much history and culture! A few days have passed since I first found out that I would indeed be going, but the excitement has remained at around the same level as that moment. Every time I stop and think about it, I am blown away. In just about two months, I'll be in Israel. It all happened so fast and was somewhat unexpected, but then again, that seems to be how most of my adventures begin. One of the best parts of this trip? It's absolutely free.

There is a program called Taglit-Birthright Israel. The Birthright Israel program was started in 2000 by private philanthropists, the Government of Israel, and Jewish communities around the world. Birthright Israel provides free ten-day-long trips to Jewish youth, ages 18 to 26. The reasoning behind this is that the founders hope to lessen the division between Israel and Jewish communities throughout the world. It is also a way to connect deeper with Judaism and to meet other young people who relate to the same identity. The Birthright Israel program sees it as its gift to young Jewish people. I cannot think of too many other gifts that are quite as fabulous as this one.

I found out about the program last year from the program coordinator at the elementary school I work at. She told me that I should check it out. I told her that it had been a while since I had really connected with my Jewish background. She replied that that's what made me perfect for it. Birthright enjoys helping young people reconnect with Judaism. What better place to do this in than Israel?

Finally, one night at around 1:00am in September, I fidgeted about, missing New York, missing Greece, missing the feeling of travel and having some sort of adventure to look forward to. At about 1:30am, I went online and filled out the application. My application was a little late, so I was put on a waiting list. I let out a sigh and knew that this was the perfect way for it to be. It left it up to fate. I would find out later, closer to the date, if I would be spending winter in Israel.

About a week ago, I found out that an old, dear friend of my mother's, who recently moved out to the east coast to teach at Brown University, is basically BFFs with the president of the Birthright program. They met in Israel working on a kibbutz. Our family friend put me in touch with the president. It felt so amazing to be talking to the president of Birthright. He seems like such an inspirational person in charge of such a large, beautiful foundation. I could not find any possible way to fully express my gratitude with words. I need to send him a postcard from Israel. I was able to ask him how to get the most out of my experience and any advice he had in general. He recommended some books for me to read. When I hung up the phone with him, I might've ran around my house, jumping excitedly for a little while - maybe.

The rest is basically history. The next couple of months will involve my preparation for my trip. I'm ecstatic. I'll keep you all posted!