As scenes of bombings, guns and bloodshed resonate in the minds of American television viewers, Boston University’s B’nai Brith Hillel House said they have started planning for their fourth annual Birthright Israel trip with an information session last night.
Birthright Israel is a program established by Jewish philanthropists whose dream was to provide Jewish people with the opportunity to go to Israel for 10 days.
In cooperation with Birthright Israel, Hillel Houses across the world are able to send members of the Jewish community from the ages of 18 to 26 who have never gone on an extensive tour of Israel.
Recent media coverage of the tensions within Israel have portrayed a land overrun by violence; however, out of the seven students who attended the informational sessions, no one said they felt security issues would stop them from traveling with the program.
“Every time I watch the news I get upset when I think about not having a homeland,” said Chloe Markowitz, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman. “It is just unfathomable to me to think of a world without having a home for the Jewish people. Instead of overlooking the opportunity to go to Israel, now is the perfect time for more American Jews to pull together and show their support.”
Kip Lombardo, director of student activities at Hillel House, said the protection of students was a major issue, but that many students were still planning to attend.
“Security is definitely an issue for many people when they are making the decision to go or not,” Lombardo said. “Despite what people may think, recent numbers of students traveling to Israel on the trip have not dropped. I am very confident in the security measures taken on the trip.”
Lombardo explained there are parents who are worried for the well-being of their children, but the organizers pride themselves on their security capabilities.
“Not only will parents be able to communicate with their students through voice messaging, but Birthright Israel works with the Israeli Department of Education and the Israeli Defense Force to ensure that the safety of the participants is never in question, especially by the use of armed guards,” Lombardo said.
Previous participants of the program have commented on the life-altering experiences they encountered and the worthwhile lessons taught by the program
“When we were at the Kotel, grouped together and singing prayers, a woman came over crying and took a picture of us,” said Hilary Schwartx, a College of Fine Arts sophomore. “She said she was a Holocaust survivor and even showed us her numbers.
“She told us that it was amazing that we were here and that she was happy that finally generations were able to come to the wall and pray,” she said. “So many have died trying to create a world in which Jews could pray at the wall, and it is a blessing that Birthright Israel gives us the opportunity.”
Students who came to the informational meeting unanimously agreed on their reasons for going to Israel.
“It is important for American Jews to show support for Israel. They need to know that we will stand behind them in the fight for their survival,” said Julia Anidjar, a CAS freshman. “Tourism has severely dropped within Israel and then not only for spiritual, but economic support as well.”
Throughout the 10 days in Israel, students are given the opportunity to go to Jerusalem, visit a kibbutz or a cooperative and to take part in an archaeological dig.
“This trip is a unique opportunity for members of the Jewish community to be more than assimilated members of the world, but instead connect themselves with their roots,” Lombardo said. “When you go on this trip you get to hike through the hills, dig for remnants of our past and pray at one the world’s holiest sites.
“You build a connection with a culture and religion that will forever have an effect on your world,” he said. “After going on this trip, history simply makes more sense.”