What do I hope to gain out of the Write On For Israel trip? Call me greedy, but I’m hoping to gain several things. First, however, some background: The last time I went to Israel, for Chidon Ha’Tanakh (the International Bible Contest), we visited numerous dignitaries, school children, and important sites. Each in some way was meant to inspire us to love Israel and move there with our families. While the large majority of my trip-mates ended up making Aliyah in the years following the experience, it only half-worked on me. I learned to appreciate Israel, found much beauty in it, and immensely enjoyed my time there. However, I made the decision to be an advocate in the U.S. for the Jewish state.
And so we come to the WOFI trip. Now that my first visit has sold me on Israel, my hope is that this one gives me the tools to be a worthy defender of the nation. I want to have facts I can pull out as needed, experiences I can recall to prove a point, people I can refer to to rebut an argument. When I go off to college and hear someone make some false claim about Eretz Yisrael, I want to be able to look that person in the eye and with civility, intelligence, and definitiveness inform the individual that he or she is incorrect. I want anyone listening to our conversation, reading my letter to the editor, or watching my slideshow to come out of it better educated and aware of the truth, not any twisted picture painted by hatred. That is what this trip and this program are all about, gaining the ability to present Israel accurately and favorably to the world.
As I said, though, I am a greedy teenager. I want something for me too. Along with me on this journey will be twenty-three other Jews of my age, a diverse group of young men and women unified only by our commitment to Judaism and the state of Israel. I want to become friends with all of them. When our ten hectic days together are completed, I hope to have a fun memory involving each and every member of our group. I may not agree entirely with everyone’s views or lifestyles, but my hope is that I will respect all of my companions by the end of our time together and appreciate each of them personally. At most, I would love some friendships that last a lifetime. Whatever happens, I know this will be a wonderful experience, and I cannot wait for it to begin.