Birthright Israel: Making a dream a reality for all Jewish young adults

BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL

FOUNDATION

BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL:

Making a dream a reality for all Jewish young adults Accessibility Participants Share Their Experience on Birthright Israel

Birthright Israel Foundation believes that all eligible young adults should be able to visit Israel to experience their birthright. With the help of our donors, we’ve given the gift of Birthright Israel to more than 2,000 young Jewish adults with disabilities since 2001.

The Birthright Israel experience enables young Jewish adults with disabilities to discover a profound connection to the land and people of Israel, to Jewish life, and to one another. Groups have formed for disabilities such as American Sign Language; Asperger’s Syndrome; Cognitive and Developmental Disorders; Physical Medical Disabilities; and Twelve Step Recovery.

Together, we can ensure every young Jewish adult forms unbreakable bonds to their Jewish identity and Israel.

How I Roll: Birthright Israel No Limits In Motion Naomi Hess • Clarksville, MD 2019 Birthright Israel No Limits In Motion Alumna

I can’t even fully explain how amazing my Birthright Israel trip was, but I’ll do my best. Birthright Israel No Limits In Motion is a trip designed specifically for young adults with disabilities ages 1832. This trip promises a completely free and accessible trip to Israel. Each participant gets to bring a companion with them for free, so I brought my former camp counselor Shira Schneeweiss, who knows me so well that I consider her a sister. Together with the other six participants and their companions, we had an adventure of a lifetime.

Over the course of ten days, I saw beautiful sights, pushed myself to do things I never thought were possible, and made incredible friends. It started out a little rough when we landed at 6:00 am and faced a full first day of activities. We explored Jaffa, a port city with 4000 years of history.

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I had my first Israeli shawarma and took in the beauty of this historic city. The next day, we began our morning with a zipline that was constructed right outside of our hotel just for us! This wasn’t a typical zipline; instead of climbing a ladder and stepping off a platform, the creators buckled us in at the bottom and hoisted us to the top before letting go. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could do it because I’ve had some negative experiences in the past. The creators proceeded to construct a custom sling for me out of a hammock they found in their car so that I could participate safely with adequate neck support. Day 2 and I already conquered a fear!

Later on Day 2, we visited an olive oil factory. It was cool to see how the olive oil was made, but the more interesting part was a conversation with a stranger. I was not expecting to meet the teacher whose class was shot during the Parkland school shooting. What’s even crazier is that she was teaching a class called History of the Holocaust. It was moving to hear her story, and it reminded me of the importance of continuing to advocate for gun reform. I’ll always cherish the #MSDStrong bracelet she gave me. We finished the day by visiting our tour guide Omer’s house, where we met his father and learned about a special wheelchair Omer built so that his paralyzed dad could hike.

On Day 3, we visited beautiful grottos at Rosh Hanikra. We took a cable car down to the caves and saw the stunning Mediterranean Sea up close. Then, we visited the ancient city of Acco to explore tunnels built by the Crusaders. I enjoyed learning about the history of the city and browsing a craft market set up in the tunnels. This was our last full day at our beautiful kibbutz hotel in Ginosar in the North of Israel before relocating to Jerusalem.

Day 4 was full of excitement and relaxation at the same time. First, we went biking with a special biking organization! I used a handbike for the first time, which I really enjoyed because it taught me that I was stronger than I thought. I had some assistance from a volunteer, but I was the source of most of the bike’s power. It was a really cool experience, and I might even consider going to the gym to use hand bike machines! Then, we had a picnic lunch in a park. Israel in the summer is extremely hot, although today, July 20, it’s hotter in Clarksville than it is in Jerusalem. After boiling in the heat, we went to a winery for a tour and a wine and chocolate tasting. It was interesting to learn about the process and then taste some of the products. I’m an inexperienced wine drinker, but I did manage to like one or two of the samples.

The next day, we explored the Old City of Jerusalem.

However, before our tour began, we got some new additions to the group. Every Birthright Israel trip has an encounter between Americans and Israelis.

I am so glad that three amazing women currently serving in the Israel Defense Force decided to join our trip. Eyla, Maya, and Gal are not only sweet, hilarious, and smart, but they also have important roles in keeping Israel safe. I’m also glad that they had a real progression in their thoughts on disability as they saw first-hand the accessibility troubles my group had. I had so much fun with them, and I’m proud to call them my friends. We started our time together by visiting the Western Wall, also known as the Kotel.

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I wrote a note for myself and for my grandma and put them beside each other in a crack in the bricks. It was an emotional experience for me because of the holiness of the site. Then, we ate lunch in the shuk, a busy market that was especially crazy before Shabbat. I could barely navigate through the crowds, but at least I got the authentic Israeli experience!

We went back to the hotel so that we could prepare for Shabbat. I don’t usually do much for Shabbat at home, but I challenged myself to go technology-free for this one. I succeeded, except for a necessary alarm. It was so nice to just relax and be in the moment talking and relaxing with my new friends. Friday night we had a lovely Kabbalat Shabbat service and a good dinner before having fun at an improv workshop led by our awesome staff member Jake.

On Saturday, we had a meaningful discussion about Jewish values that made me rethink my views of Judaism and Israel. I realized how fortunate Israelis are not to have to seek out Judaism actively.

In America, we are in the minority. It gave me a new appreciation for Israel and the importance of a Jewish State that all Jews can call their home. Later in the day, I swam in the beautiful hotel pool with my friends and just thought about how lucky I was to be spending Shabbat in Israel. We ended Shabbat with a Havdalah service before going out for a night on the town. My friends and I shopped on Ben Yehuda Street, a busy hangout spot in downtown Jerusalem, and then we had some fun singing along to live music in a bar.

Day 7 was exciting because it included two of the most famous Israeli sites: Masada and the Dead Sea. Masada is an ancient mountaintop fortress built by King Herod. Jews hid up there in the Roman period, but when the Romans finally came for them, the Jews all killed themselves to avoid being captured and enslaved. These ruins include Israel’s oldest synagogue and an impressive water supply system. My favorite part of Masada is the cable car to the top and the gorgeous view of the desert and the Dead Sea surrounding it. On that note, I really enjoyed the Dead Sea as I floated in the salty water with some assistance. Not everyone likes the feeling of the Dead Sea (I felt bad for people who shaved the night before), but I felt completely relaxed and carefree.

Day 8 was our most serious day. In the morning, we went to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. This museum was incredibly powerful and moving. The children’s memorial was especially poignant; it was a room filled with candles and mirrors that made the space look infinite while a recording of voices said the names and ages of the 1.5 million child victims of the Holocaust. Later in the day, we went to Mount Herzl Military Cemetery to honor the soldiers who gave their lives to protect Israel. Even though this day was heavy, it is important to learn about Israel’s past.

On Day 9, we had a lot of fun in Tel Aviv. First, we went sailing with an adaptive sailing organization!

I never thought I would get to steer a sailboat in the Mediterranean, but I did just that. I had never been sailing before, so it was a super cool experience. That being said, I would not recommend trusting me to sail a sailboat by myself in the future! Next, we went to a busy market for lunch, but first, we had an impromptu dance party with a street singer. I loved being spontaneous enough to just dance in the middle of the street, like no one was watching. Then, we went on a tour of the Birthright Israel Innovation Center, where we learned about Israeli innovation.

We closed out our amazing trip with some bonding sessions that made me realize just how close this group had gotten in ten days. Some of the best moments on the trip were the unplanned 3

moments, like hilarious dance parties on the bus or impromptu conversations about having a relationship when disabled. There was never a dull moment on this trip. I feel like I gained a new community of people who truly understand me, and I hope these friendships will last a lifetime.

I really did not want this trip to end (in fact now that we have been home a month, we still have an active group chat where we are all in constant communication).

I want to thank Jake, Becca, and Shereen, our amazing staff members, for pushing me beyond my comfort zone and facilitating such a fantastic experience. Jake, you brought so much laughter and excitement to our trip, plus you made me feel understood because you have a form of muscular dystrophy yourself. You’re one of the funniest people I know, and I expect to see you on TV someday. Thank you, Becca, for not only your OT knowledge but also your compassion and fun personality. Thank you to Shereen for always having something nice to say. Thank you to Eyla, Maya, and Gal for being amazing Mifgash participants. Thank you to Omer for being the best tour guide and the “most person.” Thank you to my incredible fellow participants: Cat (the influencer), Haley (the storyteller), Avery (the journalist), Ethan, Vanessa (the mom), and Liad (the hugger). I feel lucky to have met you all, and I hope to stay in touch. Thank you to the companions who volunteered their time to go on this trip. Most of all, thank you to Shira, my companion, for accompanying me on this fantastic trip. I am so glad we got to do this together.

When I look back at my Birthright Israel experience, I feel proud and lucky. I feel proud because I pushed myself to try new things. If you know me, you know that leaving my comfort zone is often difficult for me, but throughout these ten days, I did things I never thought I could do and expanded what is in my realm of possibilities. It served as a reminder that I am capable of more than I realize. But most of all, I feel lucky because I got to participate in this amazing program that has sent hundreds of thousands of Jewish young adults to Israel for free. I feel lucky because I met incredible people from all over the world. I feel lucky because I increased my connection to Judaism and Israel. Thank you, Birthright Israel Foundation, for the best ten days in Israel.

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Birthright Israel Helped Me Accept My Disability Aaron Kaufman • Chevy Chase, MD 2015 Birthright Israel Alumnus

My No Limits Birthright Israel trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life! A person with a disability can often feel alone and isolated. I have Cerebral Palsy and this trip was so special because I met people who are going through the same challenges and have similar fears and anxieties as I did.

I realized for the first time that I am not alone and there are people like me. I had the most candid conversations I’ve ever had with friends on the bus because of similar experiences that we could share in a safe space.

Prior to my Birthright Israel experience, most of the interactions I had with others with disabilities were with individuals with intellectual disabilities. On No Limits, I met people on my intellectual level, which allowed me to build deep bonds with all 12 group members on the trip as well as the staff. Our Tour Educator, Omar Tzur, was a core part of our community. His father is a wheelchair user as he was wounded in the Yom Kippur War. Omar brought us to his family home to meet his father and learn about what it is like to be disabled in Israel. It was also very special to have opportunity to interact with Israeli military personnel who have disabilities.

This experience changed my outlook and helped me to accept my disability.

The journey in Israel gave me a much greater appreciation and love for Israel than I had before.

The visits to the Kotel, Yad Vashem, and Mt. Herzl were powerful. Given my physical limitations, 5

the ability to bike and sail was exhilarating. It was just wonderful to see three of my friends have their B’nai Mitzvah at Masada and for me to be able to float in the Dead Sea. My visit to Israel highlighted the major bias the media has against Israel and today I have a much greater understanding of Israel’s daily struggle against terrorism.

After my No Limits Birthright Israel experience, I was motivated to work for the Jewish community.

A few months after my time in Israel, I started a job with the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington, DC, where I lobby on disability issues. I love my work in the Jewish community as a disability advocate and find it deeply rewarding.

Reflections on an Accessible Trip to Israel Blair Webb Alumna and Jewish Inclusion Fellow I am a Jewish Inclusion Fellow at RespectAbility, but I’ve always had a complicated relationship with my Jewish identity. I have always enjoyed eating potato latkes at Hanukkah, and appreciated the ritual of reevaluating oneself during the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but I know very little about Judaism, beyond these cultural touchstones.

Some of this is because a childhood seizure disorder kept me from Hebrew school, but it’s also due to my uncertainty of my belief in God. It’s hard to reconcile God with the injustice in the world, such as abuse, cancer, despair, homelessness, hunger, hate crimes, violence. Yet, my Jewish heritage enabled me to travel to another country without my parents for the first time in my life…to Israel. It changed me in many ways.

As a young adult, and seeing my older sister and her friends having the opportunity to go on Birthright trips, I never in my wildest dreams thought that was possible for me. However, at the age of 24, my family and I found a trip specifically for people who use wheelchairs. This particular trip allowed each of us to bring an aide, meaning I didn’t stand out from my peers. Additionally, this organization provided the six of us with a fully accessible bus to travel from city to city. Israel itself is so accessible that I had the chance to go to Yad Vashem- The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, a goat-milking farm, a wine-tasting venue and the Dead Sea. Due to the accessibility of these places, I was able to go on adventures I never thought possible.

The trip additionally gave me the opportunity to establish meaningful social connections with peers, which had always been a challenge throughout my childhood. As the only person who used a wheelchair in my middle and high school, I was the loner or the outsider. On Birthright though, since all of us were physically disabled, we easily formed an intimate community amongst ourselves. While eating falafel and hummus, we swapped stories about how our moms and dads parent us differently than our non-disabled siblings. We continued growing our bonds throughout 6

the duration of the trip, playing Heads Up on our phones and quizzing each other on our trivia knowledge about the television show, Friends. I even became friends with a young man who lived in San Francisco. This was especially helpful since I was attending UC Berkeley that fall. Before the trip, I never could have envisioned this unique opportunity to build relationships.

Most importantly though, in Israel I connected more to my Jewish identity. I had heard about Wailing Wall in synagogue since my childhood. Having the opportunity to travel to this historic monument was one of the most unforgettable moments of my lifetime. The group was separated by gender, but then became one with the thousands that day praying at the wall. I will never forget writing down a prayer for my mom’s continual cancer remission on a piece of paper and putting it into the wall. I was in awe of being in such a holy place.

The trip culminated in becoming Bat Mitzvah on Masada, an ancient fortress. Birthright gave each of us who did not have a Bat or Bar Mitzvah at the typical age of 13 the chance to take part in this important Jewish ritual. I could not have my Bat Mitzvah as a young person, due to having seizures. In Israel though, I sat in my wheelchair alongside two of my transgender friends, who had converted to Judaism after transitioning, and we said the prayers in order to be recognized as adults. Even though I did not participate in the pomp and circumstance of a Bat Mitzvah party, it was extraordinary to have the opportunity to experience this important Jewish milestone. I share this experience because my inquisitive Birthright trip helped me to feel a connection to Judaism, unlike anything I could’ve expected. I close with praise not just for inclusive Birthright, but with a sincere appreciation for the power of inclusive Jewish experience.

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Alumni Quotes: “There were times I was curious to see how the itinerary would be adapted-wheelchairs don’t work in sand. But all of us were able to enjoy the beauty of the Dead Sea, a highlight of every Birthright Israel trip… those who needed help were carried down to the water in beach chairs.

For me, the unique thing about No Limits: In Motion wasn’t about being in wheelchairs, it was that people who never would have considered traveling were able to have this wonderful, life-changing experience in Israel.”

– Emily, Accessibility Participant “My trip to Israel was really successful. Shabbat by the Kotel, dancing, kibbutzim, Bedouins… I am very grateful to all for the companionship, translating and for all the fun we had. I am very happy I could be with you in Israel. I have learned so many new and interesting things.”

– A Polish Participant with Down Syndrome

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BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL

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