Free Trip to Israel

early_college
Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:17:33 +0000

I have honestly complicated even responding to any further posts to this thread. I had no intention in this becoming a political thread. I’ve grown up Catholic and I’ve always been closer with my mothers side of the family. When I was in the 8th grade, I began to become interested in the Holocaust. I honestly will be minoring in it or concentrating in it if I attend either Hobart or Clark U. I have always wanted to learn more about my Jewish heritage. I do not nearly know as much about my fathers side as I do with my mothers side. My grandfather was born in Sicily and I tend to identity myself with my Catholic side more, as I did grow up Catholic. If I went on this program, it would be to connect with my Jewish background and it would not have anything to do with religion. I will not convert as I am a true believer that one is what they are raised. But I am very open with my religious beliefs and I’m not dead set on anything. Reincarnation and the supernatural are things that spark interest, much more then church. I am very liberal and I do not believe everything the Catholic church teaches. However, there is nothing on the website that says I would not qualify. I do not actively practice any religion even though I grew up Catholic and I identity myself with the religion.

In my opinion, this program is more about being a culture Jew then a religious one. My father is Jewish and I feel as though, I am entitled to go on this trip as much as a child whose mother is Jewish. I would feel exactly the same if this was the Vatican. To me, it is about a cultural journey. I want to know my roots. And maybe this program isn’t best for that, as I am not from Israel. My fathers family comes from Romania, Russia (modern day Russia), and Lithuania. Maybe a Holocaust trip would be a better idea because that is where my true passion lies. But of course it being a free trip gives it a boost up as my family could not afford to send me anywhere right now. As I just went to France for 3 weeks last summer, it was my birthday and Christmas gift. And I ended up hating the experience. But that is life. I’m actually really interested in the Scandinavian countries as well ,and I would love to do a year abroad in Denmark, Sweden, or Norway.

Now am I trying to scam anyone? NO! I find that inference very rude and appalling. I have Jewish blood, may I practice the religion or not. One can be culturally Jewish and not religiously Jewish. My heritage is half Jewish. Morally, I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM GOING. That was not my dilemma at all. I just did not know if I would qualify by definition, but I feel as though I do qualify because I do not actively practice Catholicism. However, another problem would also be timing as I am going to be a freshman in college in Fall 2012. Fit is also a problem. Not fitting in would be a huge concern, but 10 days doesn’t seem that long to me. I was in France for 3 weeks and hated every minute of it, but I am still very grateful I went. It was a life changing experience and I do not regret going at all.

I have no intention to get any sort of Israeli citizenship or any other countries citizenship for that matter. I am born an American and that’s the country who I identify with in the end of the day. I have been very grateful for this country ever since I came back from France.

And my Nana does not want me to go because she did not like Israel and yes, she is Jewish. She does not think I would like it and has strong feelings with me going to the country period. Her sister and BFF just came back from Israel and they thought the Israelis were very rude and that the country was very dirty. She had the same feeling when she went a couple years ago.

If anyone has any other suggestions of other programs I may be interested in that would be greatly appreciated. It does not have to be in Israel or have anything to do with religion period. I will shoot the program director an email about this program though.

I find it ironic about the other thread about Birthright. And my grandfather and my nana and her friends and family have never heard about this before and they’re Jewish. So, obviously not every Jew knows about it.