Israel’s Future

I grew up constantly seeking my purpose. I’d listen to success tapes and go to seminars but nothing ever quite gave me a direct path. I grew up sadly with the mindset that whatever your profession is defines your entire identity. In addition, the pressure socially to become rich, or to pretend you were was always on my mind. I never felt that I truly fit in anywhere nor was I successful at most of my undertakings. That is until I took on a Torah observant life.

In college I was fortunate enough to have a lot of personal difficulties, which left me asking questions about life. Who is G-d? How can the Jewish people be the chosen nation and how is it that bad things happen to good people? Luckily all of these problems that I had, brought me closer to G-d. I was fortunate enough to realize that due to the enormity of my personal challenges, I needed Hashem. Divine providence pushed my back up against the wall and I needed help. I found it at my campus Rabbis, Jordan Brumer and Shmuel Teichtel of Arizona State University. They sat with me and answered my questions about Torah and provided me with opportunities to experience what an observant home looks like during Shabbat and on the holidays. I fell in love!

At that point I decided to take on more Torah into my life like going to synagogue on Friday night before going out with my friends. Then one Shabbat evening, the unorthodox synagogue which I went to hosted a speaker from Israel. I was enamored and wanted to hear every word, so I sat in the front row. To my disappointment he used this opportunity to talk about how it isn’t fair that public transportation is closed on Shabbat in Israel. That very moment I decided I’d never drive on Shabbat again, and walked home a couple miles that evening.

Months later, Rabbi Brumer offered me an opportunity to join Aish HaTorah’s summer program. That, in addition to being a part of Birthright gave me immense pride in being Jewish and a yearning to dream about the future. Not to mention we went in the ritual bath of the Holy Ari!!!!  I was beginning to love authentic Judaism. Luckily for me, our group also went to the grave site of paratrooper Michael Levine of blessed memory. After hearing his story of exemplifying the utmost courage during the Second Lebanon War I was driven to follow his path by making Aliyah and serve in the IDF.

The challenges that I faced were obvious ones such as language, not knowing anyone, adapting to the culture. Yet it really didn’t faze me for one reason – desire. I knew that it was all or nothing, that too much was at stake. That I had to succeed not just for myself but for our people. There were plenty of days where I felt zero, but I would just go plant myself at the Kotel and pray for help. Time after time, I’d visit the Western Wall and pray. This gave me a feeling that Hashem was with me even in my troubles. Eventually everything worked out. When I would be down, I’d just release my stress in exercise or learn Torah. My biggest motivating factor was the victims of the Holocaust who didn’t have the opportunity to live in our land. Knowing that fighting for the country was for their honor gave me immense strength.

The question that remains is how we can ignite our children’s interest in Israel. Especially in a generation where anti-Jewish propaganda floods most Universities and Judaism isn’t portrayed as being the intensely gratifying lifestyle that it is. My opinion is that as a parent, you need to set the example. There’s no doubt that financially supporting institutions is important. But if you really want your child to feel the passion that you have for Israel, it means more than writing a check and going to banquets. It means coming to the land and doing things differently than most tourists. Get your hands dirty, get uncomfortable, be with the soldiers, the needy, and push yourself.

In my army service I had several experiences where I encountered families who specifically went out of their way to show their support for the IDF troops. On one such occasion a family had a driver take them to meet us in the middle of nowhere in the north of Israel bringing drinks, cakes, and smiles. Another time, a family from South America had their Bar Mitzvah party in the dining room of the soldiers. On the other hand, Baruch Hashem, every so often a representative of some organization would provide us lone soldiers with a new backpack. It helped, but it wasn’t the same as getting a big hug from a teenager who came to show his love. When I was on guard duty at night staring into Gaza, that is what kept me going. Knowing that someone cared.

Things such as treating a group of soldiers to a coffee before they head back to base or buying loads of pizza for soldiers can be done by anyone, it’s up to you. Doing acts of kindness with your own time and personal effort can inspire a soldier to come back to Hashem. There’s no shy factor here, we are all family. That‘s what separates us from all of the nations. Just go up to a group of soldiers, tell them who you are and why you came – to thank them, and you can change their entire army career.

Every person connects to Israel in a different way but what unites us all is that this country is our only true home. Not every Jew necessarily follows the Torah and not every Jew who follows the Torah, keeps it perfectly. The bottom line is that Israel without the Jewish people is a body without a soul. We have to teach our kids that the future is in Israel and it’s our job to make a change. We have an opportunity to shape the future of the Jewish people. Will our kids take part in this opportunity? It’s up to all of us and our parental example.