Despite regional tumult, many Jewish students at Columbia still feel compelled to travel to Israel this summer.
“Regardless of how you feel about it [Israel], going to Israel is an important part of exploring the Jewish identity,” Sarah Brafman, student president of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel and CC ’10, said.
Brandon Hammer, CC ’10, went to Israel with Taglit-Birthright in January 2008. He echoed Brafman’s view, saying, “The trip allowed me to remember my connection to and renew my exploration of Judaism.”
Columbia/Barnard Hillel is coordinating with Taglit-Birthright to send a group of Jewish Columbia students on a 10-day trip to Israel, free of charge. Registration for a May or June trip opened yesterday and will close in early March. Birthright trips, which are conducted several times each year, allow students to tour Israel, meet Israeli soldiers, and learn more about the country’s history and culture.
According to Brafman, students who were born to one or two Jewish parents or who have converted to Judaism are welcome to register for the trip, as long as they have not previously been on an organized trip to Israel. “It’s very open-ended,” Brafman said. “Any affiliation is acceptable.”
Brafman said that while the recently inflamed conflict between Israel and Gaza may cause a slight decrease in the number of students who wish to participate in the trip, interest in going holds strong.
Hammer said that while his visit was not affected by an immediate threat, “my trip took place only 18 months after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Indeed, it was fascinating to go to a number of cities and towns in northern Israel that, just a year and a half earlier, had been shelled.”
Hammer remains adamant that students considering registering for Birthright should not be deterred by violence in the region. He said, “more people die from car accidents ... than from terrorist attacks.” He also points out that he “felt, and was, completely safe during the entire trip. Birthright takes security extremely seriously.”
Cara Buchanan, CC ’11, went to Israel with Birthright in January 2009 and characterized her experience as “priceless.” Having grown up in a fairly secular Las Vegas household, she initially questioned whether she was “Jewish enough” to take part. Now she endorses the trip for all Jewish students who have any interest in travelling in and exploring another culture. Birthright is a great opportunity “no matter how religious ... you are or how much you know about Judaism,” Buchanan said.
Birthright trips are funded by donations from community groups and individuals around the world, as well as by the Israeli government. According to the program’s Web site (birthrightisrael.com), Taglit-Birthright is presently working to raise funds to take 10,000 people to Israel this summer.
Anyone interested in participating can apply through Columbia/Barnard Hillel by visiting freeisraeltrip.org.
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