Reflections from Josh Levy (C'11)

It began quite early, 39 strangers well mostly strangers, no one knew more than two or three others. This is a unique trip in many ways in that a number of universities are represented including but not limited to penn, Delaware, brown, and tufts, university of melbourne, and union. There was even more variety on the flight. It was on the El Al aircraft that we gained our first exposure to brash Israeli behavior. About six birthright groups, people running up and down the isles, flight attendants screaming at passengers, and passengers yelling even louder for the fasten seat belt sign to turn off. And who could forget the man that demanded an upgrade first class because he felt as though he should have been informed that the flight would be filled with college students. His request was denied. The chutzpah! The plane arrived to the clapping of hands and we disembarked.

Our first day commenced with welcome games to learn each others names, before a quick hike to see Atlit. It was here that I first appreciated the miracle that is Israel. The ruins represented thousands thousands of years of our shared history. Our ancestors all lived here together before being thrown into the diaspora. And while it is in the diaspora that all of us remain, it was together that we returned to Israel, the place of our forefathers, the source of our heritage, the fountain that nourished our shared religion.

The highlight of the day was undoubtably rafting. In groups of six we paddled down the stream reveling in the sunshine while being cooled by the pure water of the Jordan river. Who could forget the antics of a couple of individuals who will not be named. Between them they tried to steal a dog and avoided a splash fight with friendly Israelis!

Our first night we met the youth of the kibbutz including Americans who joined the IDF and others who had been living on the kibbutz their entire lives. They took us around the kibbutz and told us about their lives first hand. They introduced us to the hero of the kibbutz, an extremely fat dog who is a hero of the kibbutz because in the past year he had gone searching for food, but instead some hiding lebonese soldiers, and his barking alerted the israeli army to their locations.

Our first Shabbat together was a time for rest and reflection. It gave us a chance to consider how much had happened in less than twenty four hours and how much we can achieve in nine more days. The Shabbat included a delicious meal, prayer, and singing. We we bonded in learning the words to the song "The whole world is a narrow bridge, gesher Tzar meod." And in some ways this song exemplifies our trip. We are only being given a brief taste in Israel, a very narrow window of time to enjoy the country, but while that bridge might be narrow, it is a bridge nonetheless, bridging the land of uncle sam to the land of milk and honey.