Wow, how to go about reflecting on the craziness of the past two weeks? Perhaps the simplest way is looking at the WOFI trip through the lens of my original two goals.
My first hope for this experience was to gain the tools to properly defend Israel at college and educate those around me regarding the various issues involving the country. I emphatically say that this was achieved. Thinking about the highly diverse group of individuals we worked with on the trip – former IDF Commander Kobi Merom, photographer Natan Dvir, Kibbutznik Yonatan, Bedouin educator Chitam, Tel Aviv activist Itamar, Arab-Israeli journalist Khaled abu Tomeh, young female IDF officer Lior, and settlement tour guide Yoni, to name just a handful – and the numerous places we visited – the Bedouin city Rahat, army base Havat Hashomer, the archeological dig at Emek Tzurim, hi-tech Kibbutz Sasa, the settlement of Efrat, Arab village Jasar a Zarka, agrarian Kibbutz Ashdot Ya’akov, the Ha’aretz Museum, Sderot, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, downtown Tel Aviv, and of course the Kotel – I know that we have experienced Israel and its many different faces and facets in a thorough, remarkable way. I now have a far greater appreciation for the nation and a much stronger understanding of the various issues, both internal and external, it is currently dealing with and will have to confront in the coming years. These qualities should help me immensely as an advocate for Israel, and I am forever indebted to the program for granting me these memories and experiences.
Now, on to goal number two: to make friends who will last a lifetime and to have fun memories featuring all of them. I do feel that I achieved this as well. Yes, every member of our group was different. Perhaps some like to stay up a little later than I do and have fewer qualms about falling asleep while listening to a speaker. For sure, some folks have drastically different tastes in music than I do. But hey, if we all were the same, life would be far less interesting and fun. Despite our differences, I really enjoyed being with everyone and really feel that I have made many new, strong friendships. The memories we all will share forever – groaning at the thought of visiting yet another kibbutz, trying to disappear during Nick’s impromptu rap at the Arab school, driving literally in circles around Tel Aviv, listening to Jack’s snores during the play at the Cameri Theatre, singing old favorites at the Immermans’ Jerusalem home, cheering at Tamar’s and Maya’s archaeological discoveries, wondering whether we would have to run to a bomb shelter in Sderot, analyzing Benji’s relationship with Batia, dancing at the rock concert – are truly wonderful and generally resonate with everyone. I am honored to have undertaken this journey with such a wonderful, thoughtful, amazing group of teens, and I hope that we all will stay in touch for many years to come.
I guess that is our trip in a nutshell. We laughed, we sang, we learned, we bonded, we gaped in awe, we prayed, we slept (a little), we rode around a lot in a bus, and we hopefully became wiser and better people for it. I certainly think we did. Time will tell, I guess. Time, and our year 2 projects.