Hi Everyone,

It has been a busy month. Our group just finished Gadna, a simulation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), designed to familiarize people with the army while building teamwork. Most Israeli 11th graders participate since they are drafted at age 18, but other young people partake in it as well. We were with new immigrants and other volunteers from all over the world; I met people from Russia, Hungary, Iran and England. Although it is not the real Israeli army, it gives participants a taste of what it might feel like. We marched around in uniforms and listened to commanders bark orders. I liked the classes, they were interesting; the field exercises and calisthenics were fun, but cleaning the toilets, cleaning our rooms three times in a row, sleeping six hours a night and not eating much was a pain. My favorite part was shooting an M-16. After learning about weapons all week and practicing with unloaded guns, we went to the shooting range. It was intense. Twelve of us were lying next to each other, not even a foot apart, shooting at targets 50 meters away. It was hard to concentrate under the heat and smoke, let alone the noise and constantly being hit with flying shell casings. I can not even begin to imagine what it is like for soldiers who fire weapons under the stress of real combat. But I have met many Israelis that have experienced combat and I shudder at the stories they tell me. Even if an Israeli never faces battle, he still knows how terrible war is because he knows someone that has been wounded or killed in an army-related incident, whether it be by terrorists or an army accident. It is a sad state of affairs.

Before the army, we had a three-week elective track. Participants had several options, including working for the Jewish National Fund, the IDF and a yeshiva. I chose Isralight, a Jewish learning center. For three weeks, I lived in the magnificent Old City of Jerusalem. From our roof, I could see most of Jerusalem, but I did not have to look far for the best view—we were a few hundred feet from Judaism’s holiest site, the Western Wall/Kotel. Isralight combines lectures, text study and field trips to teach its students the fascinating history, heritage and religion of the Jewish people. I particularly enjoyed learning about Kabbalah (mysticism). The program had an exciting climax on the last weekend, when I became a Bar Mitzvah on 29 Adar, 5761. Although most Jews become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at age 13 in America, I never went to Sunday school or Hebrew school, so I never did it. A bunch of my friends walked with me to the Kotel and we went inside the adjacent tunnel, where Shabbat services were being held. I made an Aliyah, led the prayers and became a Bar Mitzvah. Afterwards, we sang and danced in front of the Kotel. It was pretty amazing. And I love my Torah portion.

Going from religious learning straight to the army is a stark contrast, but that is normal in Israel. One of our rabbis missed a few days because he had reserve duty. And Israel is all about extremes, from the Negev desert to the lush Yizreal Valley, from orthodox Mea She’arim, to secular Eilat and politically, from Peace Now, to right wing Khane supporters.

I am on vacation now for the next three weeks. Right now I am resting at my adoptive family’s house up north and will go to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the next few days. My mom comes to visit next week and when she leaves I may go to Prague or just stay around Israel.

At the end of April, the fourth and final track of our program begins. Again we are spread out around the country, this time at kibbutzim or youth villages. I am going to work on Kibbutz Kfar Giladi, in northern Israel, near Kiryat Shmona and Metulla, next to the Lebanese border. Hopefully I will work in the fields with agriculture or animals.

Nisan 5761 - April 2000