Looking at the Jewish world

We knew that Hal Rosen had been ill, but when news of his passing came this week, we felt unprepared. His colleagues at JUF mourn him, and know that his memory is a blessing. How could a man who contributed so much talent, wit, passion and commitment be remembered other than as a blessing to the Jewish people, to JUF, and to us personally?

His spirit was rare, in that he combined great humor and tolerance with a fastidious attention to detail, and to doing the job right.

There is so much to say about the man, and we will offer more in the days and weeks ahead, as recollections roll in.

For now, suffice to say, a hole has opened in that part of us that knows the world with Hal Rosen in it. And in that space he once occupied we feel the flow of warmth and memory, recalling all he did for us, and all he did to make the world a happier place.

Hal, we miss you. Rest in peace.

The “swap” of the bodies of murdered Israeli reserve soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, for a living beast of a child killer and four other cold-blooded murderes (along with the bodies of 199 other terrorists held by Israel), made me sick to my stomach.

I can’t even begin to repeat the name of the child killer, and dare not dwell long on the memory of his crimes. Suffice to say that in 1979 he destroyed the lives of four Israeli citizens, killing a policeman and devastating a family with the murder of one young girl and her father, and causing the death of a second daughter. The ghoulish details of this incident appear elsewhere on this site; I can’t bring myself to repeat them. 

Jewish law and tradition, manifest in Israeli attitudes and policy, favor the saving of life and the redemption of captives (Goldwasser and Regev had been kidnapped from within Israeli territory in 2006, and apparently died of their wounds shortly afterwards; eight other Israeli soldiers died in the same attack on a routine border patrol).

The preservation of life and the dignity of the dead are paramount values within Judaism, values for which Israel sacrifices greatly. The Islamists who kidnap and murder and imprison without news or contact—as was the case with Regev and Goldwasser, and continues to be the case of Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas terrorists also in 2006—know this well. They see those values as signs of weakness and vulnerability, and exploit them to the fullest.

While we weep for the innocents on both sides, Hezbollah and Hamas celebrate the crimes of their butchers (many Iranian trained).

What is the lesson of history we might learn from this?

The butchers come and go; their names, save for the magnitude of their crimes, are nearly forgotten to history. But the values of life and dignity, which the Jewish people have promulgated since our inception, shape an enduring, timeless civilization.

Am Yisrael Chai; the People of Israel Live.

Hi, this is David Brinn again, Domestic Affairs Associate for the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago calling in from Waverly, Iowa where I am currently in day  two of my three day stay here doing flood relief work with the organization Nechama. 

So, after introducing the organizations behind the disaster relief efforts here in my last broadcast yesterday, I wanted to spend a few minutes describing our day to day experiences.  Our days so far have started at around 7:30 in the morning where we fill up our vehicles with volunteers both with local folk and those previously affiliated with Nechama, and we leave our home base which is at the moment the Lutheran Student Center on Northern Iowa University’s campus to head over to the flood-stricken neighborhoods where we will spend the day working.  Most of the news coverage of the floods so far have seemed to center on the larger metropolitan areas, Cedar Rapids probably being the best known example of this.  We’re working in one of the lesser known areas which generally receives less attention not only from relief organizations but from the media as well.  Although I’ve heard that Waverly isn’t really unique, it does provide the template for wider destruction that’s hit such a wide swath of the region. 

The two homes that we’ve been working on since I arrived had between two and a half feet and eighteen inches of water on the first floors, even though each home is raised about two feet off the ground.  Once the water has receded, which it had only about a week ago, the job of cleaning up (which is a light way to phrase it) began.  Upon arriving in the first town we were briefed on the proper use of tools and safety equipment which included safety goggles, utility gloves and these special respiratory masks that just looked like painter’s masks that block out particulate matter from coming in.  This last piece of equipment proves especially important since there is so much mold in the air from several week old stagnant water and insulation all over the place as well, and you don’t want that in your lungs. 

When you enter the home, the scene is truly astounding.  It’s really like life and time itself stopped for the homeowners at the exact moment the flood began.  There’s drinking glasses left on coffee tables, dog food dishes left with old, moldy dog food, and the most vivid and literal illustration, newspapers and calendars with the date June 9th printed on them- the day that the flood hit Waverly are displayed as well.  It was really a Pompeii-like atmosphere.  It was truly surreal. 

The water ruins everything it comes in contact with.  That being said, the first step in the mending process is to remove every single item from inside the house onto the street.  That not only includes furniture, appliances, picture frames, cabinetry, sinks, bathtubs and the like, but also carpets, linoleum, tiles, wallpaper, wallboards, insulation and sheet rock.  Since the water was inside these homes for several days, there is a thick spattering of mold over most of the items that hadn’t previously been removed, and even if the item doesn’t visibly have mold on it or decay, it’s certainly waterlogged and it’s no longer salvageable.  As you can guess, the front yards are completely full with debris and furniture and these people’s personal items. 

The majority of the work is definitely physically demanding regardless of age or level of fitness, but everyone is able to play a valuable part in the process.  If an older volunteer needs help moving a refrigerator for instance, he or she will ask some of the younger volunteers who are more than happy to help provide the necessary strength to help out.  And, the older volunteer can spend his or her time sweeping out debris or removing nails from walls or performing other less strenuous but equally valuable tasks. 

By the end of our second day we have completed our work on the first two homes I’m proud to say.  The inside of the homes were stripped completely bare and resembled nothing like a habitable abode, but at the end of the day we were proud to know that in a short period of time reconstruction would begin and the homeowners would be back on their feet residing in their homes.  I don’t think anyone can argue with the fact that things would ever get back to completely normal for the unfortunate individuals affected by the disaster, but there is a silver lining to every cloud so to speak.  Most of the homes we’ve worked on are well over one hundred years old and contain extremely outdated and inefficient infrastructure such as water heaters, insulation and appliances, and by removing the exterior portion of the interior of the homes, we provide a unique opportunity to retrofit or refit the homes with money saving upgrades that don’t come at any additional expense.

Our work can best be described as the intermediary phase.  It’s not a first response or an emergency effort, neither is it the reconstruction part, but it’s a crucial and necessary part of the recovery process.  That being said, these long days are also emotionally and physically demanding but equally rewarding and very profound for the people involved in this process. Thanks again for listening.

Hi, I’m David Brinn, the Domestic Affairs Associate for the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.  I’m now speaking to you after finishing Day 1 of a four day stay in Waverly, Iowa, doing flood relief work with an organization called Nehama, which describes itself as the Jewish Response to Disaster. 

I drove from Chicago yesterday after having passed many different towns and cities along the way which were utterly devastated by the recent floods.  Even though the floods began over three weeks ago, parts of the interstate highway leading up to Waverly bore a stronger resemblance to Route 1 of the Florida Keys, with its endless water on both sides of the road. 

Along the way I made a quick detour through Cedar Rapids, one of the larger metropolitan centers in the Midwest that was severely affected by the floods.  Although the waters had long since receded, the level of destruction was truly beyond what I was expecting; having only seen a few seconds of coverage on some of the major news networks. 

I guess the best way to quickly describe the scene is to visualize the city with all of its buildings having vomited every single thing they previously had inside onto the sides of the streets.  The water line, which was made visible by streaks of dried brown silt and mud, was well above the first stories of most of the buildings.  The scene kind of foreshadowed my experience in Waverly, Iowa which only began earlier today. 

When water comes in a structure it ruins everything it touches, so the first thing you have to do in repairing it is to remove every item from inside whether water-logged or not.  This is the “easy” step.  After that comes the deconstruction which involves ripping up floors and walls and everything else except for the superstructure itself. 

I’ll save the detailed description of my day to day work here for tomorrow, but I’d first like to discuss some of the organizations that are involved in the relief work on the ground.  The Jewish Federation of Chicago is currently collecting relief funds to funnel humanitarian aid to some of the worst hit areas in the Midwest.  These funds are being distributed on a non-sectarian basis as well.  I’m proud to announce that every single penny donated to this relief fund goes directly to aid the victims.  Our Jewish Federation absorbs all administrative costs.  You can contribute online by going to www.juf.org/relief_fund, or by calling 312-444-2869.  We’re also currently collecting funds at the same number and the same website contact for the Myanmar cyclone and the Chinese earthquake. 

The organization I’m working for, Nechama, that’s hosting me right now in Waverly, is a nonprofit organization led by a miniscule staff with volunteers at the heart and backbone of the organization.  The word itself, Nechama, means “to comfort” in Hebrew, and gauging by our work and interactions with homeowners affected by the flood, they really live up to their promise and then some.  They also work cooperatively with other faith-based organizations on the ground which was illustrated to me early on due to the fact that our crew is residing at the Lutheran Student Center on Northern Iowa University’s campus.  Our crew currently consists of myself, another individual from Chicago, Stefanie Sideman, who is also in the JUF family working at Ezra multi-service center, two middle-aged childhood friends, Max and Dan, who flew in from Houston and New York respectively to spend their vacation time doing this noble work.  They had planned for a few months to go to Lake Tahoe instead, but decided at the last minute that they wanted to do this instead of going to Lake Tahoe.  We also have Eric, a volunteer from Santa Barbara who flew in just for this occasion, and two Nechama staff persons, Seth Gardner the director, and Dan Hoefte, the operations coordinator.  It’s really been a wonderful and enthusiastic group of individuals to spend this time with, and I have truly been humbled by the energy and selflessness.  They are a great group of people to spend time with and I hope to encourage others to come out and do the same thing in the future.

So, that’s it for now.  I hope you can listen in to my next broadcast where I will describe the work on the ground that we’ve actually been doing and will continue to do in my case for the next few days, but in other people’s cases for a long time to come.      

Natan Sharansky cropped up a number of times last week, like a living exclamation point whenever Jewish identity and democracy needed emphasizing.

The first time I saw him was last Thursday at Arutz Eser, one of Israel's main TV stations. I was there with 24 Write On for Israel fellows, crowning their year of study with an inside look at what makes Israel tick.

We were waiting to enter the station's cramped studios, to watch Dov Gil-Har, the morning anchor, strut his stuff, and share insights into journalism.

While we waited in the courtyard out popped Sharansky. Short in stature, with his trademark cap perched over a baby face, he spoke to our students about the power of identity. “Go to campus as proud Jews,” he implored them. “By asserting your own identity and values, you improve the world without taking anything away from anyone else.”

Sharansky's name came up again in a cab. Daniel Levy, a 40-year old Jerusalem cabbie, was ferrying me to the airport. A father of three, with a hip, trademark shaved head and ear ring, he was teaching me the latest political jokes, stretching my Hebrew vocabulary in new directions.

“So if you have new elections, who are you going to vote for?” I asked him.

“Look, they're all crooks and their all crazy. But maybe Bibi is the least crazy,” he said, referring to Benjamin Netanyahu. He let that thought roll around in his head for a moment, and then conjured the name of the freedom for Soviet Jewry hero, the little refusnik who's still larger than life.

“The only guy I'd really like to see in office is Sharansky,” Daniel said. “His Hebrew annoys me, but his ideas are big. He has a great head and a great heart, and he knows the meaning of survival and independence. That's what we need now.”

Daniel dropped me at the airport amid a hail of shaloms. We exchanged cards, and when he saw my name is Cohen, he said that because he's a Levy, “Ani tamid b'sherutkha—I am always at your service.”

Amid the crowd waiting to board the El Al jumbo, one short man stood out—Sharansky.

I had just learned by email that he would be speaking to the annual meeting of the American Jewish Press Association, where I too was headed, and that I was assigned to introduce him.

“Remember speaking to those American teens at the TV station?” I asked. “You inspired them. Also, if you decide to get back into politics, I know at least one cabbie who will vote for you.”

On the plane I set next to Ashley, a recent college grad from Colorado, who was returning from a three-week Israel experience with Chabad. Her own Jewish background was minimal; she hadn't actually heard of the Soviet Jewry movement, let alone Sharansky. She looked quizzical when I mentioned the demonization of Jews and Israel in the Muslim world, and the ongoing rocket attacks on Southern Israel.

She said she has trouble sleeping on airplanes, and I joked that I'd solve that problem for her by filling her in on the facts.

Unlike the Write On students who hung on Sharansky's words, my seat mate's identity was still up for grabs, lacking the soil of knowledge in which to grow.

Speaking to the Jewish Press Association, Sharnsky decried the Jewish identity vacuum that Ashley represented and that the Write On students can help fill.

“Democracy,” he said, “suffers when people lose their identity, because that means they've also lost their values. For Jews, for every religious and ethnic group, the way to help spread democracy and freedom is to celebrate our identity, to be proud of it, and to respect the rights of others to do the same.”

That's what my cab driver wants, and so do I. Maybe Ashley also got the message, before she fell asleep.

On Tuesday night, 24 Write On for Israel Fellows bid farewell to Israel and returned home to Chicago. After a summer that will be devoted to a variety of pursuits – summer school, jobs, internships, camp or other Israel experiences – all of them will embark on multiple projects aimed at applying the knowledge, advocacy skills and experiences they have gained over the past year to improving understanding of Israel among their peers at home.

Throughout the trip, Fellows recorded their thoughts in their journals. Below are a few excerpts:

Jonathon Youshaei

If I take back anything from my Write On for Israel trip, it is that Israelis, like my cousin in Ramat Efal and the youth from Kibbutz Gonen want to enjoy life, pursue an education, make money and care for their families. By the same token, Palestinians are also looking to live normal lives, evidenced by our conversation with Arab youth, where one student was adamant about becoming a doctor. Above all, this trip has allowed me to put a face to the people involved in the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Daniel Orbach

This trip marked my 18th time coming to Israel, but my first time going into Israel. Never have I visited with Israeli TV, newspaper and other media, or with war heroes and officers in the army. It really has opened my eyes. Seeing all of the security surrounding you when you go shopping in Jerusalem is just as incredible as knowing a sniper has your back when you visit the West Bank. This has led me to realize that Israel is like a watch: There are so many internal parts and gears which have to work in unison; if one part fails, the watch breaks.

John Peskind

When we talk about the Kotel in school or at home, we really only get the sense that there is a wall and it is very old. We are told that it means a lot, but its meaning, as told by textbooks, is miniscule at best. On Sunday, I got the opportunity to see this wall, and I expected only a nice reflection on events of the past. My experience, however, left me speechless. I could not help but feel that I was part of my nation’s history. I could also not help but feel directly connected to my ancestors who would give anything to be in my position, praying at the Western Wall.

Ron Schrag

Going to the Old City on Sunday was one of the most moving and memorable experiences of my life. What makes this even more amazing to me is that I lived in Israel for the first nine years of my life and I had never seen what I saw on this day. We participated in a scavenger hunt around the Old City meant to educate us about the history of this holy city. We also went to the Western Wall, which is the last remaining retaining wall of the Second Temple. I’ve been to this landmark many times and it has never really done anything for me spiritually. It is amazing however to touch the Wall; to touch these 2,000-year-old rocks. It is also amazing to see all of the notes everyone puts in the Wall. However, this moving experience was nothing compared to the underground Kotel tunnels. At one point in the tunnel passageways, there was a tiny, cramped, low-ceilinged room with candles and prayer books in it. Immediately when we got there, two members of our delegation began to pray intensely, touching the wall the whole time. A short distance away stood the real foundation rock of the Temple, exactly under the Dome of the Rock. This was especially moving because it really connected the Bible and the foundation of our religion, the Torah, to modern-day Israel, something that is so tangible to me.

Noam Kupfer

I have learned much about the varying people and opinions that inhabit the land. The Write On group has met with a plethora of Israeli and Arab people who view the situation through different eyes. The varying ideas have opened my mind, but have not taken control of my true inner beliefs. Meeting with the Palestinian teenagers was a true “once in a lifetime” experience. While I have heard and seen much on the news about the situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, traveling to such places and hearing both sides was very interesting. The Palestinian students were extremely up-front about their claim to the holy land. In addition, they stated that they deserve the land according to the Koran. In response to each of my questions, they quoted religious texts. I was unable to fully understand their answers as I do not study the Koran.

Lea Sarris

Going to the Kotel was a great way to close the trip. After touring around Israel and engaging ourselves in political affairs, it was really special to return to the most central part of the country with the group (which has become very close.) There was a strong, hair-raising atmosphere created by the spirituality and holiness of the location. Everyone praying at the Kotel was so concentrated; I had never been around a group of people in which everyone is so focused on what he or she is doing. This is where we pray to every morning. This is where we are always wishing to be. Here is where history happened. It is so easy to forget about everything when you are here. I will never forget how I felt. I will never forget the connection I felt to history, religion and Israel in front of the Kotel. After we left, I felt that this Israel experience was complete, and that I personally was recentered as well.

Abby Klionsky

I’ve shaken the hands and taken pictures of a few famous people in my life, but I think running into Natan Sharansky takes the cake. Sharansky doesn’t stop to talk to just any group of 24 teenagers. But when he asked who we were and we replied, “young journalists,” he stayed to chat for a few minutes. We had perfect timing, so in addition to the Israeli and Palestinian teenagers and journalists, army commanders, David Baker, Avigdor Kahalani, and many other officials we met, we got to add to our list one more person who gave us his commentary, added his insights to our opinions and passed on his wisdom to us. “Be proud Jews,” he advised us, and told us that we were ahead of most in terms of “knowing how to make a debate,” so we will be prepared to be Israel activists on campus.

Hannah Rosenbaum

Throughout this past year, I have struggled with my Jewish identity. I have asked myself, “Is there a God?”, “How do I want to live a Jewish life?” and even “Why am I Jewish?” Coming to Israel, I decided to put these difficult questions on hold and to take in all that the trip had to offer. Throughout the day on Sunday, we visited the Old City and learned about the history of the place, especially the Temple Mount and the Kotel. That evening, I struggled to replace my historical mindset with a spiritual one. I was completely overwhelmed as I approached the Kotel. My brain was filled with historical facts, and yet before me was one of the holiest places in the world. As I touched the stones, I first saw the notes. Millions of them. It was then that I understood that I did not need separate hats for history and religion. They were both connected, and this wall was their bridge. These notes tell the history, strength, determination and hope of my people. I felt the strength of the Wall beneath my fingertips, and felt the strength of my nation. And I knew that this is why I am here. And when it comes down to it, it’s the people and their stories that matter. It is because of them that I am Jewish, and it’s because of them that I care and know that my grandchildren will be Jewish.

Joel Pachefsky

We visited an army base in Gush Etzion in the West Bank. We learned that this base helps stop at least one or two terror plots each day in an area that stretches from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. This is one of the many reasons I feel safe in my homeland. The Israel Defense Forces guards and protects the people of Israel – one of Israel’s main priorities. In the past seven years, the IDF – with the help of the security fence – has cut terrorism by 98%, an amazing feat. I will always be safe when I return to Israel and wherever I go.

Melissa Kravitz

Last night we met with five Palestinian boys almost exactly our age who all want to go to university and study medicine, engineering or some other impressive subject. We soon found that they liked break-dancing and hip hop music and lived their lives so similar to ours. The trouble came when we started asking about terrorism. The conversation immediately intensified as they talked about Jews taking their homeland and killing innocent Palestinians. While every WOFI member tried his/her best to explain the truth, it’s nearly impossible to change the perspective through which these five boys grew up. They have been told by teachers, parents and media that they deserve “their” land, so why should they believe any differently? It is essential that we strive to educate everyone about what is truly occurring in Israel, why we deserve the Jewish state, and how we need to accomplish peace.
Ariel Sehr

We just met a really funny, informative guy, Dov Gil-Har, a famous journalist in Israel he's been doing interviews since he was 18, worked as a journalist covering the Knesset, and had a lot of advice for aspiring journalists. But what struck me about this guy—besides admitting to stealing Michael Moore's ideas, and to his producing the Israeli version of “To Catch a Predator”--was his openness about his views of of “the politicians who sell us bullshit” and the “stupid Israeli bureaucracy.

Most of the Israelis we've spoken with, form Levi Vanounu (a student from Sderot) to my Orthodox host family, seemed rather shy about sharing their views or were rather vague. Even when we met the deputy chief rabbi of the Israeli Air Force, he said up front that he didn't want to talk politics. When I spike with a woman who has helped organize meetings with youth for us, she said this was very common and described a kind of schizophrenia among Israelis. People want security for their families, but as Vanounu put it, “As babies cry in Sderot, we know they cry on the other side too.”

This ambivalence is something I can absolutely relate to, and i has definitely surfaced in me on this trip. I have not yet had the “Aha!” moment or sudden Zionist revelation, but I have seen the reason we are so far from agreements that will stick. We can talk for hours here with no answers, no concessions, even within our own group. As our tour guide at Independence Hall put it, “If you meet someone with all the answers, suspect him.” Either that or start arguing.

Even the doctor accompanying us couldn't help arguing with the war hero and politician, Avigdor Kahalani, when he said that believing peace would come is naïve.

Dina Soloveychik

In order to be effective advocates for Israel we not only have to be knowledgeable about the country's history and politics, but also it is imperative to understand and form connections with the people of Israel. Throughout the seminars we learned about the background of the conflict, different forms of advocacy, and historical and modern facts that would aid us in our defense of Israel. We learned about the facts but never got the opportunity to form bonds with Israelis, especially Israelis our age.

Over the weekend I met two of my cousins who are close to my age, and I had never met before. One of them was very supportive of Israel; her father was in the air force, and so was her boyfirnd, and she planned to go into the air force. My other cousin was on the opposite side of the spectrum. She got out of going to the army because the army did not want her. Even though I did not necessarily agree with all of her views it is still useful; to be able to experience the full range of views that Israelis have.

Later, talking with teenagers from Kibbutz Gonen, we had the opportunity to hear from them about a situation that otherwise we could only theorize about. Hearing the opinions and emotions about possibly giving the Heights back, put a face to a situation. When you know the people of the country you are advocating for, your advocacy becomes more real. You are no longer advocating for just a country, but for specific people.

Carmel Orbach

I have been to Israel too many times to count. When I got off the plane I thought this would just be a guided tour. As some time passed and we met interesting people and saw new places, I began to change my mind. I realized that this was a special trip and that some of the things that we are and will be doing will be once in a lifetime experiences for me.

Before we left Aaron explained that this trip was not just for seeing sights; it was for experiencing Israel on a deeper level. I think he hit the hammer on the nail. This trip has been such an under-the-surface-of-what-you-see experience. I am very thankful for that.

I have been to the Golan many times and I have family and friends there. Meeting with the youth from Kibbutz Gonen was a totally new experience and I never thought I would have experienced something so deep and important without my family. I instantly connected with them, and it helped reach my expectations and goals for this trip. Conversing with the people is the most amazing thing about Israel. I value the people of Israel more than the places because I understand where them.

Ariel Katz

So far my trip in Israel has enforced my love for the country and my emotional attachment to it. We have met with so many diverse people including teenagers from the Golan Heights and Kfar Saba. We met with the Deputy Chief Rabbi of the Air Force and the anchor of Channel 10 television morning program.

What's truly amazing about this is that even with so much diversity and different backgrounds, Israelis generally are able to unite behind a common cause, with patriotism and love for their country. In the U.S. We rarely unite behind a common cause. People are cunical towards the country and its the new fad to be unpatriotic.

It's refreshing to be in a country that is loved so deeply by its inhabitants. This unity seems to be fueled by the fact that Israel is a Jewish country. The religion is present in every place and it's so opposite from what we're used to in the U.S. Mezuzahs we found on every doorpost and washing cups are present in every bathroom. The feeling is so special here and even though i've been to Israel three ties prior to this trip, each time that I come the openness and understanding of the Jewish religion amazes me.

This country is unbelievable and incredible for so many reasons but even on a more personal level it's incredible because I feel like myself here, I feel complete.

Shaina Cavazos

What I have gained most from my time in Israel thus far is a sense that simply being Jewish and interested in politics does not tie me in any way to Israel. Only learning about history and actually being here has pushed me to care about a country I had been too scared visit before. Having no Israeli family, and a very small Jewish family, it sites of history and looking at the views of s hard for me to connect with Israel on a personal level—but being here now, seeing views of the sprawling cities and landscapes, I can feel the bonds strengthening.

I want more than anything to pursue a career in journalism and seeing Israel from a more professional view, talking to journalists and broadcasters, makes me realize that information and the communication of such has a strong influence on the inner workings of this country. While I don't think I will end up being a journalist in Israel, I know that hearing the testimonies of journalists from Israel—a place that had to have its communications skills to simply survive—will add to my motivation to grow up and make the mission of reporting truth and information a priority in my life. So while this trip hasn't been the most relaxing part of my summer, it has provided me with a superb first visit to the Holy Land, and I know I will go home stronger in my faith convictions and desire to write and report.

Deborah Goldberg

My trio to Israel has given me a renewed sense of commitment to Israel advocacy. Yesterday we visited the Ayalon Institute and the Palmach Museum. The Ayalon Institute tells the story of a group of teenagers who mede bullets for the Haganah so that its soldiers could fight the enemy. They risked their lives every day to do their job. The Palmach Museum is a tribute to the first Israeli solders. These soldiers received refugees and protected Israel during the War of Independence. They too risked their lives every day—1,168 Palmach soldiers gave their lives to help make the dream of a Jewish state come true.

I am lucky because I have never lived in a world where Israel didn't exist. As I listened to the stories of these early fighters, I realized that the fight is not yet over.

Although I do not plan to join the Israeli Army or making aliyah, my experience with Write On for Israel ha showed me ways that I can contribute. The information that I have learned will help me make a case for Israel every day. We are the new generation of fighters.

Today our writing and speaking to our peers will help make the case for Israel on college campuses. We will be able to fight for Israel's right to exist. Indeed, we have to fight for this right.

My experiences yesterday renewed my commitment to Israel advocacy. The early fighters of Israeli remind me of my obligation to fight for my people and my Israel.

Karen Avidar

Hearing the story of the battle of the Golan Heights from Avigdor Kahalani has been the highlight of my trip so far. I had learned about Kahalani at Alexander Muss High chool in Israel here I saw a movie about him and heard the story from my teacher while looking out on the Golan Heights. I woke up this morning with a lot of excitement and anticipation because I knew I was going to meet a true Israeli hero.

I didn't know what to expect. Avigdor walked in, with a smile on his face and the first thing he did was tell everyone behind him to sit in front of him because “you do not sit behind a commander.” Avigdor was humorous and brought up bible stories. As he told the story of how he and his fellow soldiers defeated the Syrians with only seven tanks. Something that I will always remember is what, according to Avigdor, is the secret of the Israeli army. He said the secret weapon is the soldiers, and the soldier's secret weapon is his spirit, and the spirit comes from the bible, the family, and any place that instills a sense of responsibility to the nation. In Hebrew he said dugma ishit (making a personal example) is the key to being a good leader. Avigdor set a personal example for the rest of the soldiers by always being in the front. Avigdor made it clear that everyone has fear; even he was scared fighting in the Golan in the Yom Kippur War. The only way to overcome that fear is to set a personal example for somebody else so that they can overcome their fear. From the meeting we had with Avigdor I learned what a true leader is, not only by seeing the hero sitting in front of me but also from his words and his personality.

Adam Barnett

Lately parallels between western and Israeli cultures have become more visible. Israeli music, television, clothing, and ways of life, seem to be “westernized” compared to other middle eastern countries, mostly because of an influx of foreign movies and television, technology, and people. However, Israelis add their own distinct touch to western and global forms of culture. For example, various styles of music intertwine middle eastern scales and modes with modern pop, rock, and jazz.

Knisiyat Ha'sechel, Cooloosh and Margo are perfect examples of this fusion of genres. Israeli television also uses its own spin on western ideas, like Cochav Nolad, the Israeli version of American Idol, and an Israeli “To Catch a Predator.” Interestingly enough, well known musicals and small scale performances like Salt and Honey and Feedback incorporate Israeli and Jewish history with western themes and culture; therefore , although Israeli culture is a mix of various others, it is clear that as a result Israeli culture is its own.

Ricky Silberman

Driving up to an old, rundown building I could not imagine that we had reached our destination. As i scanned the building, I thought to myself that there was no way one of the most popular TV stations, Channel 10, could film here. In America television stations are located on main streets lined with glass windows, and flashing lights and signs. Instead I saw an outdoor seating area designated as the “lobby,” and a single set of stairs leading up to the control room. Waiting for our turn to tour the studio, we bumped in Natan Sharansky, Dudu Fischer, and others who upon leaving the lobby, became like any other person walking the streets of Israel. This modesty that we experienced at the TV studio introduced me to an interesting and praiseworthy side of Israel. Free from the paparazzi and unnecessary bells and whistles, this integral part of Israeli society accomplishes the same goals of any TV station, even reaching a whole county. Perhaps this small example of humility reflects on an aspect of Israeli society, and that gives a sense of established moral codes.

Shayna Otis

Israel achieves its military victories with its unique spirit. Victories come from strategy not sheer numbers. Israel has a history of strategy, which is a history of strong personality. According to Six Day War Hero Avigdor Kahalani, “the secret weapon of the IDF is the soldiers. And in the soldiers, the secret weapon is the spirit. The spirit comes form the bible, from the kindergarten, from the synagogue, from the neighborhood, from the school, from every place that can give you responsibility.”

Israeli solderis feel compelled to serve their country not because of brain washing or as a lack of physical freedom, but because of a strong sense of humanity. Therefore, Avigdor Kahalani rejoined the army after nearly being killed to save Israel., and therefore, my cousin who is my age, chose to hide her past back problems from the army, so that she could participate in a combat unit. Therefore, the teenagers at kibbutz Gonen, expressed pride in their military future. The path to Israel's victory is the appreciation of human life.

Halie Dobkin

One thing I have become aware of during this trip is the size of Israel. In America, when I hear the news about rockets in Sderot, or dispute over this area of land, I picture this big country where the areas of land are not really related. Being in Israel, I have realized that if rockets are falling in Sderot, it affects all of Israel, Israel is a tiny place and so much happens here.

Another thing that surprised me was the openness of some of the youth in Nofei Gonen. Some of the kids did not seem to have such strong opinions. They said they did not want to give up land, but besides that, few of them had more to say.

Sara Goldberger

Ze lo davar pashut (this is no simple thing) – this has been an underlying theme of my Write On experience in Israel so far. In Chicago, we learned about the Arab-Israeli conflict and the difficulties it entails. But her in Israel we se it. Through talking to Israeli youth from Nofei Gonen and Kfar Saba, and a university student from Sderot, I have come to see the complexity of the Israeli reality. In our discussions, WOFI Fellows and Israelis expressed their various opinions, delving into many aspects of the current conflict. The complexity of the situation is also evident from the Israeli culture. From the Palmach Museum and Machon Ayalon, I learned a great deal about the historical conflict of 1948. We learned about the role of religion in the Israeli army by talking to the Air Force Deputy Chief Rabbi. In the Channel 10 television station, the anchor of the morning show, Dov Gil-Har, explained the difficulties in relating both sides of a news story and remaining balanced. This Israel trip has uncovered layers of the conflict that I did not consider before.

Jacob Lewis

For all of the nation’s differences, its political quarrelling and clashing ideologies, Israel has maintained it strong communal bonds. The socialism and pioneering spirit of the young country has now been replaced by a free-wheeling global economy and growing cities. Still, on this trip, we have repeatedly witnessed the connections between individual Israelis. Over the weekend, I was hosted by a family living in a yishuv called Alfei Menashe. There, my fellow guests and I experienced the thriving community, especially among the town’s youth. From activities like spontaneously dropping iin on friends, the residents showed us how they get along, how much their lives center around each other not themselves. Later we visited the Tel Aviv community of Neve Tzedek. Even outside of small towns and kibbutzim, Israelis maintain their strong connections. The neighborhood’s residents seemed interested in working with and being with each other. We saw shops such as Keepor, based entirely on the honor system, and shops created to help children exchange their toys. The squares and alleyways were full of people sitting with each other and greeting those who passed. Artists created murals and statues to leave on the street and brighten the area. Even the tightest knit American community does not compare with the average Israeli community.

As Israel moves into the future, those bonds will keep the nation together an d keep It strong through any difficulties it may encounter.

Avigdor Kahalani is a well-known name in Israeli military history. He was a hero of the 1967 war--his was the first Israeli tank to lash out at the Egyptian armored corps, and he was the soldier to receive the most skin grafts due to third degree burns, and live.

Kahalani went on to be a hero in the Yom Kippur War, where his actions to stave off a force of over one hundred Syrian tanks with less than a dozen Israeli tanks is legend. Many believe his bravery and skill saved Israel from destruction.

Years later, after a mixed political career, Kahalani is still regarded as one of Israel's greatest military figures.

Speaking with him in Tel Aviv, I got a sense of a man who is still prepared to fight, and resigned to the fact that his grandchildren most likely will have to also.

"I voted for the Oslo Accords, and have hosted [Palestinian President] Abu Mazen in my apartment in Tel Aviv," Kahalani said. "But I don't think we'll be allowed to live in peace, the hatred is so deep."

He has no faith Israel's current, indirect negotiations with Syria will bear fruit.

If there is one thing Kahalani remains optimistic about, it's the spirit of the Israelis who are called on to defend the country. "It's not the weapons or the technology we have," he said. "When I fought the Syrians, they were better equipped than we were. It's the education and commitment of Israelis to defend their home, that makes the difference."

"Aren't the soldiers of Hezbollah and Hamas just as motivated, if not more so?" I asked, and Kahalani asserted that Israel still has the edge, even though her fighters come from western, pampered homes.

His concern about Israel hinges on its refusal "to speak to the Arabs in Arabic, and I'm not talking about the language," he said, alluding to the tough tactics of Middle Eastern leaders.

"We speak to them in Yiddish," he said, referring to Israel's relatively humanitarian approach to warfare, where serious attempts are made to minimize civilian casualties. "They won't leave us alone until we learn to speak their language, and that's not something we're prepared to do."