Free Trip to Israel

Parent Cafe
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<p>At some point they ask applicants to sign off on being truthful in all responses on the application, so as not to “steal from the Jewish people.” Think about that.</p>

<p>While it’s “free” to those accepted, nothing is truly free. Each plane ticket, meal, museum entrance fee and domestic bus ride is paid for, either by private charitable donations or subsidized by the Israeli government. </p>

<p>This is a roots/bonding/discovery program for Jewish young adults to strengthen their ties to, and appreciation of, the modern State of Israel. </p>

<p>Would you like some guidance here on other ways to visit Israel someday? Here’s one: look up “Green Apprenticeship” at Kibbutz Lotan, or the “Lotan Center for Creative Ecology.” Here’s another: google “volunteer on a kibbutz” or “volunteer kibbutz ulpan.” Ulpan is a language immersion program offered on some kibbutzim (plural form). You do not have to be Jewish to engage in many of these programs.</p>

<p>You can also volunteer to participate in an archaeological dig, although this can be costly depending on the dig’s location and housing (tent v. hotel room). For that, start by googling the BIblical Archaelogical Review; I think the list of digs may be up for 2012 by now. Most are in summer, but not all.</p>

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<p>My D is going on Taglit this winter. I am Jewish, my H is a lapsed Catholic and my D had a Bat Mitzvah but is fairly non-religious. She does not attend Hillel, etc. However, she is very proud of being Jewish and is interested in seeing the land which is so important to the Judeo-Christian-Islamist tradition.</p>

<p>I honestly don’t feel that this is a trip for you. My D has no issue or discomfort in being around Jewish ritual; she is looking forward to hearing the songs and prayers again. There are many groups of Christians who travel to Israel - maybe you and your Nana can go on one of those.</p>

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<p>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. </p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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.</p>

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<p>As usual Calmom, your fantastic writing ability and your ability to beautifully clarify is astounding and I’m humbled by it. </p>

<p>Nonetheless, I have never claimed that the program had a litmus test, though the events in those links I posted have definitely colored my opinion of the program. </p>

<p>I still don’t see any problem with the OP going if he thinks he qualifies.</p>

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<p>However, the map of Israel shown on the video on the Birthright organization’s web site indicates that it is of Israeli right wing political alignment.</p>

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<p>The question is not whether the OP thinks he qualifies but whether or not Birthright thinks he does. It is for the OP in the first instance to put forth his application but he only gets to go if he qualifies.</p>

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<p>CRD, those posts refer to events concerning an attempt J Street to sponsor a trip – not related to the issue of youngsters affiliated with or supportive of J Street to opt to travel with any other group. My d. went with her college Hillel. I don’t know what the selection process entailed, but I seriously doubt that she was questioned about her political viewpoint. </p>

<p>It looks like J Street might have been a little too overt in the way they labeled & promoted their trip. It’s not just a matter of Taglit-Birthright’s policy agenda – it could also be related to their tax exempt status. J Street is a political advocacy group; calling their trip ““Explore Israel: Progressive Zionism and Social Justice” probably was not the best move on their part. You don’t know what the back story was and what the lawyers may have advised Taglit-Birthright … but it would be financially disastrous to them if they couldn’t continue to bombard parents of Birthright alum like me with year-end appeals for tax-deductible donations. (I figure I’m on the Taglit/Birthright mailing list forever… your doubts are enough to prompt me to pony up $50 before year’s end, after I had vowed to myself that I was just going to donate to the food bank this year.)</p>

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<p>Well J Street claimed that there wasn’t any difference with AIPAC sponsoring a Birthright trip, which has occurred before without loss of tax exemption, so I don’t see any difference in terms of tax exemption. I think that it was the right wingers who protested to Taglit-Birthright that got the trip cancelled. </p>

<p>But you are right. I don’t really know the story. I’m glad your D enjoyed her trip.</p>

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<p>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. </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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.</p>

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<p>I think you make a great case for why you should be able to go. </p>

<p>I hope that you do understand that the term “Birthright” does have political implications, and that’s why I thought it was important that you understood what this program is about. I would go with calmom’s less cynical interpretation over mine, but nonetheless, it’s important to know what it is, and that there is a political element to it.</p>

<p>The term “Birthright” refers to rights conferred upon all Jews by the State of Israel. That this right is conferred upon only Jews, implies that there are others that do not have those rights. Some people have more rights, some people have less rights. Such questions are political. Whether you have this “Birthright” is not for anyone here to decide.</p>

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The difference i that J Street defined its trip in explicitly political terms, issuing a press release saying that it was for students with “progressive values” – whereas AIPAC defines its trip in neutral terms, saying it is for students who are interested in politics but without specifying any particular leaning. That’s a very big difference. </p>

<p>It’s not the identity of the sponsoring organization that would be at issue, it is the terms and nature of the trip they propose to sponsor.</p>

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<p>Still not understanding why you want to go, EC. If you are intrested in learning more about the Holocaust, then a trip to eastern europe would seem to be more appropriate.</p>

<p>If you are worried about fit, then I agree with everyone who says NOT to go when you are 18. Wait until you are in college and go with your school’s sponsored trip (other than Holy Cross obviously). That way you will know some or many of the attendees. Being in a foreign land with unfamiliar associates does not sound like it is in your comfort zone. So wait. And research other opportunities (ans many alternative program have been mentioned here).</p>

<p>What was it about the trip to France that was problematic? This might be relevant to your consideration of applying to birthright.</p>

<p>BTW, there is some expense to the attendee. The trips usually leave from NY, but you would have to pay for your own airfare to/from NY, IIRC. There may be other expenses as well.</p>

<p>Not surprising that someone’s grandparents may not be familiar with Birthright. But many, if not most, parents with children in this age range, especially those who are practicing jews and whose children were bar/bat mitzvahed, are familiar with this program.</p>

<p>Understand why you might take offense at some of the comments by some posters here. But understand too why posters might take equal offense at someone who has indicated they are Catholic, and have practiced catholicism as recently as a few months ago, wanting to take a free trip intended for Jews, especially when there are not enough spots to go around. And even if your relatives think Israel is unsafe, dirty or full of rude people, can you not see how making those comments here might cause some posters to feel offended, regardless of whether they are true or not.</p>

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<p>They also require a deposit of several hundred dollars. The deposit is refundable, but it definitely does have to be paid. Many students from more financially well off families opt to “donate” the deposit at the end of the trip – my sense is that there is some encouragement to do so – though my d. was not in a position to do that. </p>

<p>Also, there were a lot of day-to-day expenses during the trip that my daughter had not anticipated – thing like paying for some meals and the normal expenses that go along with socializing – plus of course when traveling there is a strong temptation to spend money on souvenirs. My d. would have been in serious trouble if I had not decided to bestow an extra gift of spending money at the time, as a Bat Mitzvah gift. I gave her $180… if you don’t know why that figure, you probably could use a little more time familiarizing yourself with Jewish traditions before heading of to Israel. </p>

<p>I also think that even if you do go… it’s kind of a waste to take the trip at age 18, especially with your interests. You could get so much more from the trip with a more mature outlook and more time pursuing your field of interest. If it were a one-time only opportunity – then it might make sense to seek it right now – but you have plenty of time. (My guess is that it would probably be pretty tough for an 18 year old in your situation to get a spot in any case… so maybe its a moot issue.)</p>

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<p>After the Madoff scandal, the number of Birthright trips was cut in half. There aren’t enough spots for Jewish kids (that is, kids who identify as Jewish) who want to go. Given that fact, I personally do not think it is appropriate for a believing Catholic (regardless of actual practice) to take one of those spots.</p>

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<p>I thought the same as doughmom, that Birthright liked to “expose non-practicing Jews to Israel” (and Judaism, too of course). Several of D’s friends had amazing experiences with their Birthright trips. I would have guessed that Birthright admins wouldn’t consider a non-religious young person without a Jewish mother to be considered an eligible non-practicing Jew, but since they are willing to allow him to apply, I think it is ok for him to apply.</p>

<p>I would not particularly encourage him to apply now. He does not seem particularly likely to benefit from this trip at this point in his life. And - as has been pointed out - he is not very likely to be accepted.</p>

<p>He sounds more likely to enjoy a YFU -sponsored Gap year or semester in Norway.
<a href=“http://yfuusa.org/american-students/countries.php[/url]”>http://yfuusa.org/american-students/countries.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Calmom, you’re an attorney, correct? </p>

<p>Are you telling me that you can’t put your lawyer hat on and see an argument that a trip sponsored by the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the preeminent Israel PAC isn’t pushing a political agenda through their sponsorship? That it’s somehow not political for them, but is political for J Street because they overtly rather than covertly described their politics. </p>

<p>I understand why the J Street trip was rejected - these students are not likely to be future AIPAC donors - but the rest seems more like face saving spin to me. </p>

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<p>Because there would be no question of the Jewishness of the OP had his mother been Jewish rather than his father, as the OP argued, I have no problem encouraging the OP to continue to try to go on the trip if he wants to exactly for the reasons he indicates. </p>

<p>This so-called “birthright” is a funny thing for this American Jew who has more civil rights and religious freedom living in pluralistic America in 2011 than he would have in Israel, which has been curtailing civil rights even for Jews. </p>

<p>My tests for determining Jewishness for the purpose of this trip would be: Would the Nazi’s have gassed you anyway? Would Princeton have rejected you because of your last name when they were still allowed to have quotas? Would your land and property have been confiscated by the Iraqi government in the 50’s? </p>

<p>There is a just reason for Israel to exist and they need friends in the US. But they need friends based on shared values of social justice, not racial purity or an apocalyptic vision. That the organizers find “social justice” too political speaks for itself.</p>

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<p>I felt as though I’ve already stated why I would want to go: to learn more about Jewish culture. But Holocaust history is obviously my main interest. </p>

<p>France was a complete disaster. At first, I was suppose to go to South France (Toulouse) but my family had to cancel because they were moving. They ended up finding me a family at the last minute. The family and I had zero interests, it was a terrible fit. The family lived in a small village of 99 people in Picardy (2 hours north of Paris), but the first week and a half I was in Brittany by Carnac. Their grandfather had a vacation home. The father picked me up at the airport because he wasn’t going to Brittany and he brought me to the train station. At first, I wasn’t going to have a chaperon, but then they told my parents someone was going with me on the train. Well no one ever did. We were racing to make this TGV bullet train. He didn’t even let me call my parents to tell them I arrived b/c he had a meeting to go in the city. As soon as I got on the train, it started moving and I had no idea what to do. He never told me I had an assign seat as normal trains in France had open seating. I had taken 2 years of French before going, but I could only describe myself in French and not have conversations. I cannot even understand anything in French. My teacher stopped teaching us speaking after first semester of French I. French has always been more about grammar and writing in my school. I did receive a 95% last semester of French of this year, but it was just because my teacher was easier. </p>

<p>The TGV was 3 and a half hours. No one spoke English. A nice mid 30 year old Frenchmen helped me to my seat as one could tell easily I was a foreigner. All I knew was that is was the 5th stop. I could not fall asleep because I could easily miss my stop and then I would be screwed. I never slept on the plane or anything because I could not fall asleep. When I got there, I met the kids. They were all boys: 16, 15, and 11. I was a year older.</p>

<p>In Brittany, the mother and the younger brother and his friend lived in a flat while I lived with the two brothers, 16 year old cousin, and friend in a town house. The mother never checked on me ever. She could not even speak English. The 16 year old host student and his cousin spoke good English, but no one else did. The father spoke good English as well. He told me I had a “horrific American accent the first day I met him.” As soon as I got to their townhouse, the kids asked me what I thought of a song which was about getting high and drunk. I do not drink or do drugs, so I was def startled. I cried the first night. I was very overwhelmed and it was just a bad fit. I tend to get along better with girls as well, they almost gave me a family in Lyon with 9 brothers but I told them I like girls better. </p>

<p>The French teenagers were very perverted to say the least. They were playing with themselves in front of me the very first day. All they did was talk about sex as well. The cousin told me he wanted to sleep with all the women in the world, but in different words to say the least. They smoked weed, cigarettes, and hookah. They drank a lot of everything, except beer. God, I will never drink whine ever again. Each day they went to the beach and tried to find girls, but who were 13-15 years old. It was awkward to say the least as those our children who are my younger brother and cousins age. At night, they would go to the beach and smoke weed and drink with the new girls they met that day. I had never even seen weed before going to France. I have friends who smoke it, but I never put myself in situations where I would be in the same room as people smoking it. I am pretty liberal, but I have conservative beliefs about drugs in general. All the teenagers smoked cigarettes in France. I never felt so alone in France in my life, all they did was ignore me at night when they drank/smoke. They would sit in a circle and just pass the vodka/whine around and the blunts. Even the 15 year old brother was smoking. They kept on pressuring me to do it, I felt very uncomfortable. They went skinny dipping in the ocean as well. I did do some things I shouldn’t have, but I don’t live my life with regrets. I wanted to tell the organizer of the company, but I didn’t want to get the kids in trouble. The cousin who supplied the weed said that his parents would hang him from his balls if they found out he smoked.</p>

<p>The family was a super conservative, elitist family. The kids would get drunk and go to mass the next morning which was personally frustrating and a slap in the face to God. A drunk French kid told me he wanted to ***** on the American Flag. It was very anti-american the whole time, the stereotypes were very true. They thought France could beat America in a war, ■■■■■. They thought I was shy at first when I am quite the contrary in my normal setting. The kid went to a private boarding Catholic high school in Rouen. They looked down upon public school kids like myself and the middle class. They lived in a mansion which was hundreds of years old. The Nazi’s lived there during WW2. They had very different ideas about the Nazis, which I took offense to. When we went back to their home there was nothing to do. When we went to the Omaha Beach, the father said every tombstone should have crosses and that there shouldn’t be any Jewish stars of David at the American cemetery. They knew I was half Jewish. His grandfather was racist and the kid admitted it to me. Mass was exactly the same, but in French. I saw no holy water or kneeling though. I went to church twice in France, but I went for the culture experience. I haven’t been to mass in America since my confirmation in May, 2010. </p>

<p>I did get to see actual WW1 trenches at a Canadian memorial. I saw a lot of English cemeteries from WW1 as well. I took the train with the kid and we went to Paris/Versailles by ourselves. I know there not as safety cautious as Americans. My mother would never let me go to NYC by myself. I really didn’t see as much as the other kids who went to other countries and traveled all over France. They had a much better time. I had no internet access even though I brought my laptop in Brittany. The kids cooked and cleaned, but were still very immature. The kids hobbies were hunting and surfing, we were complete opposites. The French were very big on their WW1 victory. There were English memorials in every village. However, I felt as though there wasn’t much compassion towards French Jews. </p>

<p>I went bike riding with the kids one day and they left me and I got lost in the middle of no where. I was told I was stupid many times. I didn’t know any European presidents and the father was like “My 11 year old knows all of them.” The brother denied me on facebook. I added one French girl who I met and she made fun of my all over her wall. It was disgusting to look at. I tried to hug the 11 year old goodbye and he said he hated me. Outside of Paris, no one spoke English. My French never improved because I never even had the basis of the language to begin with. I met some nice English girls at the beach in Brittany who were my age and a 5 year old English boy who I babysat for his nanny. I met some nice Germans who spoke much better English then the French. I feel as though some people have that foreign language skill and I don’t have it. I met two nice French girls, everyone else was very rude to me. I felt if I was a girl I probably would have been liked more. I saw no Americans for the most part except for in Paris. I saw Harry Potter in France with no English subtitles which was quite the experience. They use sugar instead of salt/butter. All they eat is Nutella and they don’t eat peanut butter. </p>

<p>Overall, I hated my France trip. I will never step foot in that country again. My parents had never even been to Europe even though my grandfather was born in Sicily. I saved up all my money and my Christmas/b-day gift to go there and it was just atrocious. I was very polite and nice to the whole family. I should have tried and spoke more French, but like I said earlier, I had no understanding of it what so ever. I know not all French are like my host family, but I would still never go back after this experience. When I cleaned for them, all they did was make fun of my work and make me do it over and over again. I tried to go in the program with not expecting anything because I do tend to have high standards, but there is nothing else I could have done differently. I was really looking forward to it because I spent so much time and energy into this program. The kid was never coming back to America, it was just a one way thing. I would die if I had to spend another 3 weeks with him. </p>

<p>BTW, growing up my Nana always celebrated Hanukkah with us. We always had a menorah up and some years we lit the candles.</p>

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<p>I would love to do a semester in Norway, but I’m not considering a Gap Year. Although, I would like to go in the summer. I have looked at YFU before and their programs are very expensive. I’ve heard that some Scandinavian countries will let me study abroad for free in college. I have specifically looked at DIS already, but it costs a lot of money. I would love to go my junior year abroad to one of those countries.</p>

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<p>Oh heavens, CRD, invoking Godwin’s law always leads to trouble.</p>

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<p>early_college, what a horrible, horrible experience! I hope your future brings you the joy of travel, encounters with kind people and interesting experiences. </p>

<p>Regarding, Birthright, my Ds went, pre Madhoff scandal, over winter break. Out situation is similar to yours, though we have no family religious ties. Their dad is Jewish by birth, though does not have much sympathy for Israel, they have an identifiable Jewish last name, and little association with Jewish customs, aside from what I’ve been able to impart, as a Unitarian who embraces it all. They got out of it what I would expect, greater ability to self identify as Jewish, and a powerful love for the land and people of Israel. It gave them sufficient knowledge, and comfort to participate in the Jewish community at their colleges as well. I’m very glad that they had a chance to go and learn about their heritage. </p>

<p>Regarding safety, they went during the big Gaza uprising a few years back, and Birthright was very careful to keep them safe, stayed away from the border areas, and then avoided anything close to Lebanon as well when a bomb was lobbed over the border into northern Israel. The organization sent frequent updates, and gave the right to cancel if we were uncomfortable with the situation. </p>

<p>I do think that anyone who goes should give back to Birthright when able, if in a minor way, as a token of appreciation for the gift of the trip, and attempt to pay it forward.</p>