Our five hour layover in Dulles began with a group trip to Chipotle. We ventured from the end of our terminal to the train which took us to the B terminals where our food waited. After a few wrong turns and a 20 minute walk each direction our group of ten or so found Chipotle.
When we returned with our stomachs full, thirst quenched, and with a few more calories burned, we began our first discussion of the trip. The 24 of us split up into three different groups, one headed by Amnon, one by Tina, and one by Zach. Along with them, each group had a discussion leader. The topic of the first discussion was “Who are the Jewish People?” Amnon began our discussion by asking what it means to be a Jew. We determined that there it is a difference in being a Jew as opposed to being Jewish or a “good” Jew and completing mitzvot. The mitzvot can range from donating money to a Jewish organization to going to synagogue each week. It is not the number or type of mitzvot that matter, what is important is that these mitzvot allow us to connect with and grow the Jewish Community.
In addition to determining what allows one to be a part of the Jewish community and what it means to be a Jew, Amnon gave our group an opportunity to think about Israel in a different way: from the perspective of our Jewish identity. Instead of just supporting Israel because we are Jews, we support Israel because of the lessons we have learned as part of our Jewish identity.
Today was the first day of our trip and we have already engaged in multiple thought provoking discussions while sitting at the airport waiting for our connecting flight to Tel Aviv. These initial conversations set the bar high and I can only imagine the enlightening conversations to be had when we finally touch down in Israel after almost a year of preparation.