What A Long Strange Trip It's Been, Part I
Welcome Home! Quite an interesting way to be greeted at an airport thousands of miles from my home. Yet in retrospect it was quite appropriate. My trip to Israel was nothing short of amazing. I can say with unflinching certainty that was the most amazing trip I have ever been on and if you know me it's not as if I'm making that statement having only been to Canada. I've gone on some wonderful trips to some fabulous countries and yet I'm certain my experience on Birthright Israel will remain at the pinnacle of my travels for some time to come. Unless you've been on the trip at this point your probably asking yourself will he just fucking tell me why it was so amazing.
I guess it helps to understand where I was coming from and my motivations for going to Israel on Birthright. I'd heard repeatedly that Israel is like no other place and had to see for myself. I am not religious and probably the most Jewish thing about me is my mother and my shopping habit. I truly embody the J.A.P. moniker. At the airport my dad said, "don't get all religious on me." I didn't. This trip was 100% about religion, but not about being religious. What I took away was what it means to be Jewish today and why its important. Judaism is more than just a religion, its a culture, a set of values and traditions that people have died for to ensure its continuance. It's still hard to grasp the idea of dying for anything let alone a religion, but I met countless soldiers who still fight in defense of a religion. Yes you read right, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) fights to protect more than just a country, they fight to protect why that country was created. As I came to understand Israel is not just the home of Israelis, but of the Jews.
At various points in our lifes I think we all stop and take inventory. By that I mean we assess how our life has been thus far. I find these moments usually come after a loss, a milestone or a single event such as a trip. Personally, I've had many inventory sessions. Upon college graduation, after the loss of my first grand parent and while and just after coming back from Israel. After each of these internal inventories I've grown personally. Israel makes you wake the fuck up. It makes you realize how great many of us have it. We live rich lives and that is not the same as being rich monetarily. I've had access to the best of everything. Am I spoiled? Yes to an extent I am. Israel made me realize with access to the best of everything I sure as shit better take advantage of my situation and not take it for granted. I think Americans for the most part take much of life for granted. The people of Israel have such an ubridled love for their country on a daily basis and we as Americans were able to come together maybe at most for a year after 9/11, but probably closer to 3 months. Not many Americans would be willing to fight and die for our country, but everyone in Israel is. Turning 18 in America means you can vote, but probably more people are concerned with the fact they can buy cigarettes legally. In Israel turning 18 means you get a gun, more specifically a modified M-16 assault rifle and told to protect your country for 2 or 3 years. Try that in America and see if our court system has any time to worry about rapists.
My goal here was not to lecture and tell you that you take life for granted, but if your reading this and are a friend or acquaintance you probably do take some aspect of your life for granted. You may not want to hear it, but you know I'm right. Instead of getting angry at the messenger figure what it is you take for granted or what you want to do or change and make it happen. G-d knows we all have the means.
While Israel did indeed force me to think about my life, it was also a great fucking time. Part II will be a recap of the events, the comments and maybe some purposeless pontifications.
I guess it helps to understand where I was coming from and my motivations for going to Israel on Birthright. I'd heard repeatedly that Israel is like no other place and had to see for myself. I am not religious and probably the most Jewish thing about me is my mother and my shopping habit. I truly embody the J.A.P. moniker. At the airport my dad said, "don't get all religious on me." I didn't. This trip was 100% about religion, but not about being religious. What I took away was what it means to be Jewish today and why its important. Judaism is more than just a religion, its a culture, a set of values and traditions that people have died for to ensure its continuance. It's still hard to grasp the idea of dying for anything let alone a religion, but I met countless soldiers who still fight in defense of a religion. Yes you read right, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) fights to protect more than just a country, they fight to protect why that country was created. As I came to understand Israel is not just the home of Israelis, but of the Jews.
At various points in our lifes I think we all stop and take inventory. By that I mean we assess how our life has been thus far. I find these moments usually come after a loss, a milestone or a single event such as a trip. Personally, I've had many inventory sessions. Upon college graduation, after the loss of my first grand parent and while and just after coming back from Israel. After each of these internal inventories I've grown personally. Israel makes you wake the fuck up. It makes you realize how great many of us have it. We live rich lives and that is not the same as being rich monetarily. I've had access to the best of everything. Am I spoiled? Yes to an extent I am. Israel made me realize with access to the best of everything I sure as shit better take advantage of my situation and not take it for granted. I think Americans for the most part take much of life for granted. The people of Israel have such an ubridled love for their country on a daily basis and we as Americans were able to come together maybe at most for a year after 9/11, but probably closer to 3 months. Not many Americans would be willing to fight and die for our country, but everyone in Israel is. Turning 18 in America means you can vote, but probably more people are concerned with the fact they can buy cigarettes legally. In Israel turning 18 means you get a gun, more specifically a modified M-16 assault rifle and told to protect your country for 2 or 3 years. Try that in America and see if our court system has any time to worry about rapists.
My goal here was not to lecture and tell you that you take life for granted, but if your reading this and are a friend or acquaintance you probably do take some aspect of your life for granted. You may not want to hear it, but you know I'm right. Instead of getting angry at the messenger figure what it is you take for granted or what you want to do or change and make it happen. G-d knows we all have the means.
While Israel did indeed force me to think about my life, it was also a great fucking time. Part II will be a recap of the events, the comments and maybe some purposeless pontifications.
posted by AristocraCity at 10:10 AM
2 Comments:
Wow. I actually have tears in my eyes. You are so right, and I thank you for reminding me just how fortunate I am, what an amazing life I get to lead, and why I shouldn't take any of it for granted. And I couldn't agree more with your stance on religion - I am the same way. It's not about praying or drinking Manischevitz, it's about culture, traditions, friends, family (and of course, summer camp...),but thank you for reminding me why I'm proud to be Jewish, and why life is too precious to let fall by the wayside.
You are so completely, definitely, totally right. Oddly enough I have had some similar thoughts lately for completely different reasons though...Anyway welcome back!
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