What A Long Strange Trip…

On a whim, I applied to go on a Birthright trip for this past winter break. I applied late, and wasn’t sure what trip I would get assigned to. But being the networking system that is the Jewish community, I wormed my way onto the same trip as a very old friend. The appeal was that 7 years ago we had traveled to Israel together on a school trip, and wouldn’t it be neat to return to Israel together?

On this note, I packed my bags after a week of languishing at home and headed to the airport, first to fly to New York, and then onto Tel Aviv.

I was surprisingly nervous in the days and hours leading up to my departure. I chose to go on a trip with onlyone friend, and one other person I was friendly with. I wanted to experience a foreign land with foreign people. But I was worried that I would float through the trip enjoying the places and the experiences, without really connecting with others.

I shouldn’t have worried. 

Yes, the trip by itself was amazing. Simply being in a country so saturated with life, culture, conflict (unfortunately), and spirituality is enough to incite an emotional and visceral response of wonder. But truly, my trip would not have been the same without the people with whom I traveled.

I should have known that the people I traveled with would be the reason my trip was the life altering event  that it was. 

I have always been interested in stories about people. Be they near, or far, I think there is tremendous value in learning about people around the world, and the best way to do so is to listen to their stories. Everything is affected by people. Places, culture, religion, inventions, buildings, art, you name it, they are all influenced or created by humans. By traveling with such a mixing pot of people, my trip became this wonderful experience that transcended any expectations I could have hoped for.

I could spend all day trying to describe the people I met on this trip, and honestly, it would be to no avail. I met people who inspired me to think harder about who I am and what I value, especially from my faith. I met people who encouraged me to smile more, and laugh harder. I met people who challenged me to consider another way of thinking, another way of life, another way of communicating.

And I appreciate all of it. 

I appreciate bearing witness to a country many are quick to judge. I appreciate listening and learning from the residents who inhabit this magical land. I appreciate the ladies and gentlemen from my home country who reminded me of the diversitythat our great nation nurtures. I appreciate the beauty of nature and what G-d has created for us to inhabit and respect. I appreciate the centuries of history imbedded in such a holy land. I appreciate that opinions may dissent, but compromise can be reached. I appreciate that peace is far from simple, but there are people who are fighting for it. I appreciate that I have been able to take things for granted, that others can’t.

So to wrap up this soliloquy, I would like to say thank you.

Thank you, to the Israelis on my trip who answered my incessant questions, for encouraging me to practice my broken Hebrew, for acting as unofficial tour guides, for making me laugh, and for sharing your opinions, experiences, and culture with me so that I may learn.

Thank you, to our staff, for keeping us out of danger while educating us about the beauty and pain that composes the intriguing state of Israel.

Thank you to my fellow Americans for reminding me that the Southeast is not like the rest of the states, it is in fact, a silly place. Thank you for reminding me of the beautiful diversity that our country nurtures. Thank you for inspiring me to explore my own home and expand my domestic horizons.

Finally, an overall thank you to every individual person on board Shorashim Bus 300. Each and every one of you made me smile more, laugh harder, think deeper, feel stronger, and listen closer. You shared your values, your opinions, and your beliefs unabashedly and unfiltered. I know that with strangers, that is often hard to do. Thank you for reminding me that people are good, that there is so much to learn, and to never shy away from an adventure. I will miss you all so much in the coming days.

If I could leave one piece of advice for you, and for myself, it’s a reminder that it is never good bye. Simply put…

See you later, my friends.