That said, there are obviously goals that I have set that have yet to be achieved, but that's a story for another time...
So - go back to the part where I mention 'Birthright trip with Canada Israel Experience.' The year is 2005 and I am a fresh-faced, first year university student, studying Political Science and International Relations at Carleton University in the heart of Canada's capital. I'd never been to Israel and had always dreamed of going. My friend Leah and I had a jar of pennies in her closet that we started saving - until we heard about Birthright, the free trip to Israel. Since you become eligible for the trip at age 18 in North America, I was of-age and ready to go. I'd made my plans with some of my closest friends and the application date rolled around...mid-January 2006. For the record, my room was being repainted (bright purple, it's great) and I had to schlep and set up my (desktop) computer in the dining room so that I could apply online. It was a harried morning of frantic phone calls, emails and MSN conversations as my friends and I all tried to coordinate our applications and ensure that we were writing the 'right' things and requesting to be with the 'right' people.
Fast forward a month or two and I had been given an interview. I had to show why I was the right person to go on this trip; I had to prove that Charles Bronfman's philanthropic efforts would not be wasted on me. No pressure...
Due to a nice combination of determination, merit and sheer luck, I was accepted - Canada Israel Experience's National 1 Birthright trip (made up of Canadians from Bonavista to Vancouver Island), May 18th-29th, 2006. Another stroke of luck meant that one of my best friends, Mark, would also be joining me on my Birthright trip. Along with some other friends, we made plans to travel to Greece together afterwards - something I highly recommend! But, I digress...
We started in Toronto and set off on the 11 hour flight from Lester B. Pearson airport to Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv. I knew a few people on the trip but began making friends straight away, as you do on long and uncomfortable flights (or maybe that's just me?). When we arrived in Israel after the long journey (which had its funny moments - Mark accidentally almost swallowed an anti-nauseant...in the form of a suppository. Oops), we were raring to go.
There began 10 amazing days of travelling, exploring, learning, and making friendships that I maintain to this day. We had wonderful madrichim (trip leaders) who I still consider good friends and mentors, a great tour guide and an excellent mifgash (literally 'encounter' - Israeli soliders nearing the end of their army service who join up with various Birthright trips throughout the country). We started in the North, spent time in Tiberias, Tzfat, and stayed on a kibbutz, travelled down to the South and stayed in Bedouin tents (my first time sleeping 'outdoors'), climbed Masada at dawn and swam in the Dead Sea (by far my favourite part of the trip). We then made our way to Jerusalem, my favourite city in Israel, and had an incredible Shabbat experience. I touched the Kotel for the first time, slipped and slid down the limestone steps (not embarrassing at all), was grossed out by all the cats and marvelled at the history and beauty of Yerushalayim. The trip ended in Tel Aviv with one of our final stops being at Independence Hall. Despite my extreme fatigue, I was struck by the image of Theodore Herzl, hanging between two Israeli flags on the wall. The phrase: 'If you will it, it is no dream' has stuck with me since that trip and has given me a renewed sense of purpose and determination when going for something I feel passionately about.
Birthright has helped to shape my Jewish identity. After my trip, I felt an even stronger connection with Eretz Yisrael and have since visited again. Now that I am living in the UK, I feel closer to Israel, both geographically and sentimentally. Britons are so lucky to be able to fly to Israel in 5 hours (or less), have holiday flats, spend Pesach and do things in Israel that are not as easily accessible to North Americans. This is why I implore you to take advantage of one of the most amazing opportunities for Diaspora Jewry that exists today. Birthright opened up doors for me and introduced me to people who have impacted my life in ways that I didn't expect. Take advantage of your Birthright and travel to Israel for free this summer.
For more information on Birthright UK or to apply, please contact Royi Gutkin, UJIA Taglit-Birthright Coordinator, on 02074246459 or royi.gutkin@ujia.org.
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