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Two area students reflect on Birthright Israel
Wonderful Wednesdays Music Series
Memories for a lifetime
A sense of home by Katie Weintraub, George Mason University,
by Sam Sacks, Virginia Tech, class of 2014
I
t is incredible what one can experience during 10 days in Israel. Earlier this year, thanks to Birthright and Hillel at Virginia Tech, we were given the opportunity to witness the Land of Israel. Of course, we remember all the fun times (swimming in the Dead Sea, riding camels in the desert, shopping in the markets), but we also remember the moments that left a deeper impact. During our visit to the Golan Heights we heard gunshots ring out from Syria. We also paid our respects at Yad Vashem and Mt. Herzl. But most importantly, we spent five of our days in Israel with IDF soldiers. Despite the fact that we spent less than a week together, we created profound relationships highlighted by the similarities and differences we discovered in one another. Growing up we learned about Israel, but nothing compares to witnessing the land and sharing life-changing moments with fellow Jews. They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas; we can now say, “What happens in Israel Sam and Nate Sacks at a waterfall in Ein Gedi. lasts a lifetime.”
32 | Jewish News | June 30, 2014 | jewishnewsva.org
The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, presents its annual “Wonderful Wednesdays,” a summer music series.
class of 2014
A
s I stepped outside Ben Gurion airport, I was taken aback, not by the fiery Israeli sun, but by the warmth of the welcome of our new Israeli friends. As we journeyed up through the Golan Heights, down to the Katie Weintraub at Dead Sea, and everywhere in between, George Mason graduation. I was equally moved by a truly unique experience. At home I am part of a religious minority; I grew up as the only Jewish kid in the same neighborhood as Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network. Being in Israel was an exciting new experience, where being Jewish is more than your religion— it’s the culture, the people and most importantly, being Jewish means belonging to this colossal family. While I attended Hebrew school and had my Bat Mitzvah at Ohelf Sholom Temple in Norfolk, making the journey to Israel was my way to reconnect with my Jewish roots and see this holy land I had only heard about. It’s one thing to read or watch documentaries about Israel, but to actually have that tangible experience was something I craved. That first Shabbat in Tiberias, viewing the Israeli-Syrian border from the Golan Heights, visiting the Israeli Defense Forces base, walking through Yad Vashem and the National Cemetery, and kicking back with our group on the beaches in Tel Aviv—those experiences made Israel tangible, and more than the geo-politically conflicted land often misrepresented and plagued by over-generalization in the media. Trekking around Israel what I found even more remarkable than the generosity of the Israelis we encountered, was how quickly a group of about 40 relative strangers became a tight-knit family. In addition to the experience of Birthright molding our group of Americans and Israelis into a family, we all seemed to find a sense of home in the Jewish homeland. Volunteer at Jewish Family Service! We need... As we all make efforts to stay in touch, • Meals on Wheels driver in Norfolk on Thursdays plans to return to Israel, as well as make plans to host our Israel friends after they • Someone to help file in our Personal Affairs Management (PAM) office finish their service in the army, it is clear • Friendly visitors to visit with our clients in Norfolk and Virginia Beach that the warmth we experienced through• Knitters to join our Knitters Club on Wednesdays out our journey left us with bigger hearts and a deep connection with the nation and For more details or to volunteer, call Jody Laibstain, JFS Volunteer Coordinator, people of Israel. at 757-321-2227 or email jlaibstain@jfshamptonroads.org
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Begins Wednesday, July 9
Music of Women Wednesday, July 9 Four centuries of music by women composers, performed by Debra Wendells Cross, flutist and Barbara Chapman, harpist, both renowned members of the Virginia Symphony and many chamber groups. Robynne Redmon Wednesday, July 23 A critically acclaimed mezzo soprano who has performed in opera houses and concert halls around the world, Robynne Redmond will present an evening of song. Pavel Ilyashov Wednesday, August 6 A violinist who is on the faculty of the Governor’s School of the Arts and is a fulltime member of the Virginia Symphony, Pavel Ilyashov will offer a program, “Four Strings-One Voice. Music for Unaccompanied Violin.” His recent engagements include concerto performances with the Virginia Symphony, a series of recitals at the Caramoor and Bargemusic Festivals in New York, as well as an extensive tour of North and South America. The Walter Noona Trio Wednesday, August 20 A long-time local favorite, Walter Noona will close the series with an evening of American standards. All programs begin at 7:30 pm. The museum is located at 607 Effingham St. in Portsmouth. For information and tickets, call 391-9266 or visit the website www. jewishmuseumportsmouth.org.