Ben, my son, came home from his first year in college and within a few days flew off to Israel, where he has just arrived for a ten day visit. Why is he in Israel, my son, who has been raised without even a Barmitsvah? His room-mate told him about a free trip sponsored by Birthright, an Israeli cheerleading group. So, ten days with a group of kids his age (mostly girls, as it turns out) touring the high points of a foreign country... totally free, air fare, lodging, the works. The fact that it is in the middle east is a bonus to my politically active son.
The only qualifier to being accepted on this trip is to have one Jewish parent. When going through security, however, at the El Al terminal, he was asked about being Jewish, like, "Were you Barmitzvahed?" "No," he replied. "Have you been to Hebrew school? "No". "Do you attend synagog on the high holidays?" "No." "So why are you on this trip?" they ask. My son, the brain, replies, "Because it's free." Why they let him on, I don't know, but at least he's honest. I suppose they thought a mad shoe bomber wouldn't be such a smart-aleck.
I've warned him that it is a "brain-washing" tour aimed at convincing young people to support the state of Israel (or even move there). "Not to worry," my bleeding-heart Palestinian booster tells me, but I may have to send him to a de-programing camp when he returns.
Here is Ben at the airport in NY before leaving for Israel.
1 comment:
OK, I'm one of the ones who "we know who you are". I love the blog. I wish others would participate more but if those of us who do like it are active, that's good too. Maybe if we keep talking to each other and having a good time, others will be inspired to join the conversation.
When Scott started this I thought I had to have something profoundly interesting to say. Figured my day to day life was too mundane to discuss. Scott encouraged me to just share my life, so as you know I have. Kinda like talking at the back fence. Won't you join me?
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