Free Trip to Israel

calmom
Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:39:55 +0000

Re post #36 – my d. went on a Birthright trip and certainly did NOT have to pass any sort of political litmus test. You are absolutely correct that there was a propaganda aspect to the trip – but my d’s impression was that the trip organizers were far more concerned about $$ than political position. That is, her sense was that they want to build the ties that would lead American Jews to donate money to organizations tied with Israel in the future. It would be extremely shortsighted for the trip organizers to risk alienating young Americans by pushing an unpalatable political position, especially since college-age Americans have roughly zero influence on US policy toward Israel. The Birthright program has a much longer view than that.

My d. was an IR major and took the trip her senior year, at a time when she had a sophisticated understanding of world affairs. Part of her birthright trip did include an opportunity to discuss politics – something she very much likes to do when she is traveling – and while clearly there was a pro-Israel slant, my d. did not feel in any way disrespected, either on an intellectual basis or because of her views. (Our family’s politics definitely on the left end of the spectrum). My d. had traveled to Egypt about 6 months before her birthright trip – and she currently is vacationing in Muslim countries in North Africa – so she has broad interests and she would have seen right through whatever propaganda came with the trip. However, what was more significant with the birthright trip was simply the direct exposure to life in Israel. Her group was escorted at all times by an Israeli soldier (for safety reasons) – and the opportunity to talk about real life and politics with a young man her age who happened to be serving in the military was eye opening. I’d say she came back with a better understanding of the complexities involved – and obviously would never make nor tolerate the sort of shallow and reductionist comments made in the above posts.

It is, however, a trip geared to young Jews, whatever their level of observance. My daughter was Bat Mitzvah’d in Israel, as was one other young woman in her group.

I don’t think the OP should go at age 18 – I do think that there is far more value in the trip if the person is older – and I don’t think the OP should go if he considers himself to be Catholic. My d. appreciated the free trip, but she has traveled all over the world on her own dime – so that certainly is not the reason she chose to go.

I think it’s a mistake for anyone to see it as merely a “free” trip because there really is an obligation on the part of the participants. Birthright defines that obligation merely as a requirement of staying with the group throughout the trip, but I think it also extends to a commitment to participate in the planned activities in a sincere and meaningful way. It’s not that they are bringing American Jewish kids over to force-feed propaganda – again, that’s a shallow viewpoint – but it is an opportunity for Israelis to attempt to communicate their concerns and viewpoint – and so I think that those who are on the trip owe their hosts the obligation to listen with an open mind. The ability to hear and appreciate another viewpoint is not the same as buying into it.