tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100022223951362012024-03-18T20:01:27.439-07:00HechaluztonUSY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-89913720323033621152014-09-15T21:25:00.002-07:002014-09-15T21:26:19.484-07:00Summer on Israel Pilgrimage<h3>
Unagh Frank '15 (EPA)</h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">This summer I had the most amazing adventure through Poland and Israel on USY's summer pilgrimage. It was eye opening, inspirational, actually the greatest thing I have ever done. Here is a compilation of G4's venture to the holy land. I love and miss you G4 so much!</span></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-79000323030746489222014-08-24T21:58:00.004-07:002014-08-24T22:00:57.186-07:00Why It Was Important to Go to Israel this Summer<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Sam Zack '15 (CRUSY)</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you all should know, there has
been a recent escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the terrorist
organization that runs the Gaza Strip. The tensions began to rise when the
three missing Israeli teenagers were found dead in the West Bank in late June.
To make it worse, the amount of rockets being shot at Israel significantly
increased. Soon after, the IDF launched Operation Protective Edge and began
striking terror targets and eventually entered the Strip with foot soldiers and
tanks. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%;">As a result of the conflict, dozens of mission trips and other group trips
were cancelled or ended early. My trip, however, was not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%;">This past summer I
traveled to Israel and Poland through Ramah Seminar, and I believe that it was important
for groups to still travel to Israel this year. As a North American Jew, it was
important for me to support the IDF and stimulate the economy by being in
Israel in a time like that. Besides the amazing benefits of going to Israel not
in a time of conflict - experiencing the food, culture, strong sense of Zionism
and religion, etc. - I was able to experience things that I otherwise would not
have. For example, there was a day in which we walked to a busy street and took
various types of photos representing how the war was affecting Israeli society.
After that, we learned more in-depth details about the situation and how to
advocate for Israel, both in high school and college. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My love for Israel grew
more than it would have if there was no current conflict. I felt that it was
part of my duty, even more than usual, to advocate and inform others about the
importance of Israel. Israel is an incredible place where any Jew feels at home,
and I would recommend to anyone to travel there, whether it’s during a time of
conflict or not.</span></span></div>
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USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-83898819029720092962014-06-11T13:50:00.000-07:002014-06-11T13:50:24.015-07:00Israel Day Parade with USY<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Noa Gurvis '15 (METNY)</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've watched the Israel Day Parade from afar, and finally being able to participate was like a dream come true. It's such an empowering feeling, walking step-in-step with more than one hundred of your best friends; you feel like you can accomplish anything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being at the parade with everyone made me feel so proud of our country. There were so many people there that I didn't know, but it was incredible and almost unfathomable that we were all connected by our strong love for Israel. Seeing everyone there with the same goal in mind - to celebrate our country - was the best feeling in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had so much spirit, singing ruach songs at the top of our lungs and going crazy every time we passed by a camera. Everyone was into it. It turned from just a march into something I'll never forget.</span></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-17813252698042212072014-06-10T20:27:00.000-07:002014-06-10T20:28:09.251-07:00<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Samantha Engelmyer '16 (Tzafon)</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">131 hours ago I returned to my small town in upstate New
York after spending 10 days in the beautiful land of Israel, which I visited
for the first time. When we boarded the bus at 5:45 AM on Thursday, we
only recognized a face or two in the early morning light. The look of being
terrified and excited because of heading half way across the world with 31 new
faces, was wide spread. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time the four-hour bus ride to Newark Airport was
over, we were all so close already. We may not have thought about talking to
each other in school, but we all had bonded over the fact that we were
departing on a journey to such a special place. Some of the members of the
group had already visited Israel five or six times in the past, while others
had only read about it, but the moment we walked out of Ben-Gurion Airport,
each and everyone of us was awe-struck. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent our first two days in Jerusalem, which was
picture perfect. We walked through mazes of stone walls and ran up hillsides to
view the stunning ancient city. After spending the weekend in Jerusalem, when
we thought nothing could be better, we traveled two hours south by bus to
Eshkol. There we met even more new friends and our host families for the week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The time in Eshkol was one of the most moving things I have
ever experienced. We lived lives of Israeli teenagers, so similar to us, each
and every day surrounded by pure beauty. There were fields of bright red
flowers in the middle of the desert, whose names I probably will never
remember, and there wasn't a place the eye reached that wasn't breathtaking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After you return from a trip as special as this, finding
words powerful enough to describe the beauty and experience seems impossible. I
never understood the phenomenon before, but now I do, and there is no way to
describe it. One day you'll just have to go to understand for yourself too.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-72528789144540548662014-06-10T20:21:00.002-07:002014-06-10T20:21:59.407-07:00H2 Woah Reflections<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jacob Seidel '14 (NERUSY)</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H2 was a very close, somewhat informal kinnus for USYers with a particular interest in Israel and Judaism. Between the amazing staff, thought provoking programming, and super fun company, it was one of the best kinnusim that I have ever had the pleasure of attending. There were wonderful USYers in attendance from all over the U.S. (and some from Canada) all of whom added an extra layer of enjoyment to the weekend. I highly recommend attending next year!</span></span></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-38378473503130361512014-05-28T14:24:00.001-07:002014-05-28T14:25:29.029-07:00<h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nathan Bishop '16 (SWUSY)</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">My love for Israel
started during the summer after my seventh grade year. I had the option to go
to Israel with my family, or have a Bar Mitzvah party with my family and
friends. It took my no time to make up my mind. As soon as I arrived into
Israel I felt as if I had been in the wrong place for my whole life, and I had
finally arrived home. To me, home is a place where wearing my Judaism is a
norm. Home is a place where I can feel safe to express anything that I believe
in. To me home is burning both of your feet to the bone on the mud of the Dead
Sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Since this trip, I
have wanted nothing less than to return home. My love and interest for Israel
has grown immensely. My trip has caused me to strive to get all of my friends,
and all of my friends of SWUSY to become as educated as possible on Israel’s
situation. My love has guided me from AIPAC in DC, all the way to the
opportunity of becoming SWUSY’s Israel Affairs Vice President 14-15. Now all I
want to do is help the Southwest by educating each and every one of my friends,
SWUSY or not, on the beauty and the overall importance of Israel’s impact on
Judaism and the world.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=810002222395136201" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-61276847699551560702014-05-12T16:12:00.003-07:002014-05-12T16:19:32.955-07:00Mila: a Word from your Shaliach<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Central Shaliach: Carmiel Frutkoff</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam Hertzog, NOAM’s national chairperson (parallel to USY’s International
President) spoke last week at a rally that took place by the Prime Ministers
house in Jerusalem. The rally
organized by ‘Tag Meir’ (Translates: A badge of light) came to protest the
growing number of religious based violent acts that Israelis have witnessed in
the last few years. These crimes, committed by radical fundamentalist Jews,
self-titled - Tag Mechir (Price tag) included the destruction and vandalization
of many Muslim and Christian holy sites, allegedly as retribution for violent acts
committed by these minorities against Jews. These vigilante claims hold no
ground as recent attacks on Conservative and Reform synagogues have made clear
to the few who still held on to this notion.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOAM, the youth movement of the Masorti (Conservative) movement
is not new to religious political activism. While they have always been careful
in staying non-partisan regarding Israeli-Palestinian issues, NOAM’s voice was
always heard loud and clear when it came to issues of religion and state.
Taking an active stance, challenging Israel’s monolithic approach and the
stronghold of Orthodox Judaism over other streams and religions. In recent
years NOAM’s youth could be seen on the front, fighting for the freedom of marriage, LGBTQ rights and the attempts of various Orthodox parties to censor
and segregate women while bringing a fresh pluralistic liberal religious world
view to the Israeli public. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In his speech Adam (17 from NOAM’s Zichron Ya’akov branch ) quoted the declaration of
Independence and called for the youth to take action in realization of the
values it puts forth. “The State
of Israel will be built upon the foundations of freedom, justice and peace as
envisioned by the prophets of Israel… and protect the holy sites of all
religions. As youth we must see forth and do all in our power to bring into
practice the words of our Prophets that come to light in our State's declaration
– Equality and mutual respect for all.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He called out for all youth movements to not just teach
tolerance but to join NOAM and be pro-active in creating high profiled
Inter-faith dialog so that the perpetrators of these hideous crimes will see
that they stand alone. “We can’t
ignore it… We must confront the violence and hatred that comes from within our
midst as we would expect others to do… those who teach hatred in the name of
the Torah distorts it’s entire essence. ‘Derachha Darchei NOAM’, Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Adam plans to reach out to
USY and to NOAM chapters worldwide in a call of support and encourage them to
join NOAM Israel in the effort of creating interfaith dialog.</span><!--EndFragment--></span><br />
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">NOAM teens at the rally.</span></span><!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Swastika’s drawn on
the welcome sign of Moreshet Yisrael (Fuchesburg center/Beit Nativ) in
Jerusalem.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">NOAM chair, Adam Hertzog speaking at the rally last week.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-24278658986788028402014-04-20T16:36:00.001-07:002014-04-20T16:36:31.435-07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Hayley Nagelburg '15 (Hagalil)</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Israel, to me, has always been associated with my being
Jewish. The three trips I have taken have been for Jewish observances with
family or with my school (a Jewish day school). The experiences and memories I
have with Israel all tie in to my Jewish roots- whether it be a Friday night
service at the western wall or a Pesach Seder with the family I barely knew -
when I think of Israel I think of my Jewish identity.</span></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-56514641258564658662014-03-20T06:31:00.000-07:002014-03-20T06:31:37.111-07:00<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jamie Berger '14 (Tzafon)</span></h3>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Israel story starts on a plane from Poland in the wee
hours of the morning next to an enthusiastic boy. Right when I saw the skyline
of Tel Aviv, I knew that I was home. For the next four weeks, I explored every
cave and market corner with 44 other pilgrims. From conquering Masada to
cooling off in Ein Gedi to sleeping under the stars in the Negev, I knew I had
found my home and my first love. My Israel story hasn't ended yet though; I
still dream about it every night and yearn for it every day.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-58528234117734447112014-03-17T11:53:00.000-07:002014-03-17T11:53:22.394-07:00My Experience at AIPAC Policy Conference<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Ari Weinstein '14 (Emtza)</span></h3>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a flight home from Los Angeles
this past August, I convinced Catherine, the woman sitting next to me, to take
her next vacation in Israel. I couldn’t help myself -- I’d returned from USY
Pilgrimage in Israel two weeks prior, and I was flying home from my internship
with <a href="http://www.standwithus.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">StandWithUs</span></a>,
an Israel advocacy company based out of Los Angeles. I had a lot of excitement
about Israel and couldn’t help myself but bring up my amazing visit while we
talked. What I learned from my conversation with Catherine, was that airplanes
are the perfect place to start up a conversation about Israel.</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talking
about Israel has become very comfortable for me on airplanes, because I enjoy
striking up conversation about Israeli current events, innovations,
humanitarianism, and more. When I was heading to <a href="http://www.aipac.org/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">AIPAC</span></a>’s Policy Conference last weekend, I
couldn’t help but mention to the the man next to me that I was going to lobby
my representatives about Israel legislation. At the conclusion of the
conference, participants had the opportunity to travel to Capitol Hill and
lobby senators and representatives. I was definitely very excited about the
opportunity. Okay, nervous-excited is more accurate. Despite all the times I’ve
talked with someone next to me about Israel, I’ve never carried a conversation
with a government official about why I believe they should support Israel.</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During
my visit to the Hill, I had the opportunity to meet with Minnesota senators Al
Franken and Amy Klobuchar, where I was part of a delegation of Minnesotans who
asked for their support in passing a bill that would promote Israel to the
status of “major strategic partner” with the US. According to AIPAC, the
designation of major strategic partner expands the US-Israel cooperation in
many realms of policy. In addition to meeting with senators Franken and
Klobuchar, I had the opportunity to hear representative Ted Deutch, who was one
of the bill’s writers, speak about the importance of the US-Israel
relationship.</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After
my day of lobbying, the bill to make Israel a major strategic partner passed
overwhelmingly 410-1. This is great news for Israel!</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Talking
to my elected officials about why they should continue to support Israel was
very meaningful to me. It made me realize that any individual has the power to
lobby and argue for what they believe in, and it put in perspective the
importance of both going to AIPAC and talking to people on airplanes about
Israel. For all I know, they may have taken what I told them, found their own
passion for Israel, and talked with their own elected officials about why a
continued Israel-US relationship is vital to both nations. Whether talking to a
senator or a stranger, I now know that every conversation about Israel truly
counts.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-75013304789146601612014-02-23T17:54:00.000-08:002014-02-23T17:55:20.736-08:00<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deena Kleinstein '15 (Hagalil)</span></h3>
<div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: #2f353b;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two years ago in Israel,
the Kotel reached into my soul and supplied me with the most touching memory I
have ever had. It was my last Shabbos before I would return to America, and my
emotions were running wild. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f353b;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f353b;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was informed that we would be walking back to the
hostel at about twelve at night. Capitalizing on the short time we had left, a
group of girls and I rushed down to the deserted Kotel and pulled up white
plastic chairs. We sat, we sang, we prayed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f353b;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f353b;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the moment full of silence and
prayer I have never felt closer to Hashem and my heritage. That serene moment
at the Kotel will stick with me forever and continue to supply me with smiles
every day. I could not be more excited to continue my spiritual journey and
love for Israel this summer on USY Israel/Poland Pilgrimage.</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Grande; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-62301933252434814242014-02-21T14:13:00.000-08:002014-02-21T14:13:56.383-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michaela Master '15 (CRUSY)</span></h3>
<div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a picture that I took while on Israel Adventure
Plus Pilgrimage this past summer. This was the morning after the Desert
Experience; our staff had instructed us to pray our own personal shacharit.
Everyone really used this opportunity to have some private prayers by setting
out all over the canyon. It was a moving experience to see how we were all so
spread out- and yet I still felt connected to our prayers nonetheless. This
reflects my relationship to Israel: although it might be on the other side of
the world, I still feel that I have a personal connection with it, regardless
of distance, and enhanced by my religion.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<br />USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-79558935382960997232014-02-11T15:10:00.000-08:002014-02-11T15:10:04.742-08:00Lessons Learned on the Horizon<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h3>
Written by Rebecca Perl '15 (CHUSY)</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At at least in one point in everyone's life, you have a
moment of pure realization. Sometimes these moments are in the grocery store
buying peaches; sometimes they are while helping to paint a house; sometimes
they are reading a book or straight from waking up from a deep sleep. Sometimes
they're in the desert of Mitzpe Ramon at 4:45 in the morning. At least that was
when mine was. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After touring the north of Israel, participating in weeklong IDF
training, or Gadna, HaEvent and Free Weekend, visiting Tel Aviv, and beginning
a tour of the South, we stopped in Mitzpe Ramon to rappel down cliffs and spend
a night sleeping in the desert under the Israeli moon. The afternoon before my
"realization," we went rappelling down cliffs. I was very afraid of
heights, but I promised myself that I'd do it. Not only did I rappel down that
cliff, but I was the first to go. I conquered my fear of heights and I felt
awesome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night, I saw the most beautiful sunset of my short 16 years of
life. We slept under a clear sky, full of stars, billions of years old, far
away in other galaxies. I spent most of the time awake, staring up at the
amazing sky. It was true perfection. The next morning, our staff woke us up
super early to daven shacharit by ourselves while watching the sunrise. I chose
a spot away from everyone else, and instead of doing traditional prayers, I
sang songs that I felt spiritually connected to. When I ran out of those, I sat
and thought. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year was a difficult one in terms of everything, and I know I
do not want a repeat of last year. I thought about how I can become a better
person, how I can change my ways to be the best I can be, and how I can help
myself and all of the people around me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From that moment forward, it has been
what I strive to do. These moments spent alone and together with friends in the
desert and all around Israel were the moments that meant the most on
Pilgrimage. They are moments that I will look back on in 20 years and I will
know then, as I know now, that they were life changing. I learned that things
can be fixed. I learned to look at things with clearer eyes. Most importantly,
I learned that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And we, as the Jewish
people, hold a vast amount of beauty. Because Israel is all ours.</span></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-82815220093577960152013-11-17T07:51:00.001-08:002013-11-17T07:53:35.789-08:00Ethiopian Immigrants to Israel Struggle with Acceptance<!--[if !mso]>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Written by Hayley
Nagelberg (Hagalil)</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=810002222395136201" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of you may be familiar
with “Operation Moses” or “Operation Solomon," but what do you know about
“Operation Dove”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Israeli “Law of Return”
states that anyone who is a quarter Jewish - meaning that he or she has at
least one Jewish grandparent - can make aliyah. So what happens when people claim they WERE Jewish, or who
USED to be Jewish but converted in order to avoid persecution?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Operation Dove’s Wings,
completed this past August, brought over 7,800 Falash Mura to Israel. These people, like the Beta Israel,
practiced Judaism years ago; however unlike the Beta Israel, they accepted
conversion to Christianity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Israeli political heads
debated for years whether to allow this group of Ethiopians to make aliyah. The eventual conclusion was that if
they could trace their Jewish Identities through their mothers’ side, they
could come to Israel. This
decision was based on the fact that Judaism teaches that Jewish lineage is
derived from the mother’s side. In
addition, there is a concept, “zera yisrael”, which holds that if you have a
relationship to the Jewish faith, you are welcome in Israel. If they qualify for entry, when these
Ethiopians reach Israel, they are required to undergo a conversion process to
Orthodox Judaism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While this ruling seems to be
clear and fair as to who is welcome, it has been fraught with many
problems. As the process of review
and admission has taken many years, new children have been born to these Ethiopians
waiting to make aliyah, and these children may not fit the criteria that have
been established for entry to the Jewish state. Siblings have been split up because they have different
fathers; and others have been reunited, but only after years of protest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Setting aside the controversies
that have taken place before the Operation began, there is even more
controversy as it comes to an end.
First, some members of the Beta Israel community feel it is not right
that these Ethiopians were allowed to immigrate. They do not think of them as Jews in the same respect as
they consider themselves. They
feel that the Israeli government was too lenient, and now will find that there
are many more Ethiopians claiming to be Jews. The new protocol stipulates that Ethiopians wishing to
immigrate must apply individually, have some form of family in Israel apply for
them, AND be able to trace back their matrilineal lineage. Some people feel that even with these
steps in place, Ethiopians will claim to be people they are not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the Falash Mura who
worked so hard to get to Israel, they too are faced by many of the problems
typical of new immigrants. They
feel they are not accepted; they have had to adjust so many of their customs
and ways of life that they don’t feel comfortable in Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another group still
struggling is the Falash Mura who were denied entrance to Israel. They agreed to learn the Jewish ways
[again] in their country, and held out hope for years that they would be
allowed to make aliyah. Now they
are left with new Jewish faith in a country that doesn't support their
beliefs. Some of them still have
family by their side, but for others, their family is in Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since 2010, hundreds of
Ethiopians have come over to Israel each month as part of Operation Dove. Although their road to the Promised
Land has not been easy, they have come freely. This past August 28<sup>th</sup> the last 450 olim came to
Israel, thus ending the Operation.
Now there are over 7500 new Israelis, making their way as Jews in the
Jewish land. And yet, the challenges associated with Operation Dove remain a
persistent challenge of our times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndnupgQuKGLZ1eQk562_MYkSdmu8hfrr0KTLuPyjjI1Qq9Kpl6VrRyHGtowVkOnCUwzgvYzqtWWDM18gTHPHzeBuuk00PRi3arKm2jzApgACidpzPbZJzngLo-iET_Q5bWVW4FX_c3Zc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-17+at+10.49.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndnupgQuKGLZ1eQk562_MYkSdmu8hfrr0KTLuPyjjI1Qq9Kpl6VrRyHGtowVkOnCUwzgvYzqtWWDM18gTHPHzeBuuk00PRi3arKm2jzApgACidpzPbZJzngLo-iET_Q5bWVW4FX_c3Zc/s200/Screen+Shot+2013-11-17+at+10.49.07+AM.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Hayley Nagelberg is </span></i><i><span style="color: #262626;">a junior at the
Golda Och Academy in West Orange New Jersey. She works with both Israel Clubs at her school
(Israel club and Israel advocacy club). She is also her USY chapter's IA and
the Hagalil Hechalutzim chairperson for the year. </span></i></span><i><span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/v/580564_318438571630415_164242497_n.jpg?oh=61b53392645fe35e53547cfe6d05118c&oe=527B1784" style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: #2d4486; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></i></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-5718324840048367342013-10-03T14:25:00.000-07:002013-10-07T15:46:22.883-07:00My TRY Experience<br />
<h3>
Written by Sarah Cline (Tzafon)</h3>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My name is Sarah Cline, I'm 15 years old, in 10th grade and I have found myself having the time of my life in Israel. Two summers ago, Moshe Golde (one of my amazing teachers) </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">came to my summer camp, Camp Ramah in Canada, and told me about a program called Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim (Ramah High School in Jerusalem). I fell in love with the idea of coming to Israel for four months not only to study, but also to learn Hebrew and travel around the country.
The TRY program includes all of my everyday classes from Penfield High School, plus Hebrew and ICC. ICC stands for Israel Core Course. With ICC, we go on field trips every <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2119845148" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2119845149" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> to sites in Israel. We learn in a chronological order, starting from the Tanach all the way to modern times.
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have already gone to so many places while learning as much as possible. We went to the Kotel, the Old City, Ein Gedi, Masada, Eilat, Safed, the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Kibbutzim and Be’er Sheva. We walked through tunnels, went on archeological digs, cooked and ate in a Bedouin tent, hiked sea to sea, rappelled in the Golan, canoed on the Jordan River. I experienced Purim, Pesach, Yom Ha’Shoah, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Shabbat in Israel. Experiencing an entire country stopping to honor and remember those who have fallen is two minutes I will never forget. Those are only a few select examples. This morning I was in an army base in Sde Boker for Gadna. We were there for five days in an army training experience that is built for teenagers. We learned discipline, IDF values, training, field skills, and how to shoot a gun! It was a new, fun experience that I know most other kids will never get the chance to try. I feel like TRY is meant for teens to gain experiences. Sure, there's still school and everyday chores and activities, but TRY lets kids be more independent. We live in dorms, which is a great community experience. TRY gives teens unforgettable moments that let them grow as an individual.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i>Sarah is currently a junior from Tzafon who will be a member on USYs delegation to the AIPAC High School summit this November.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-12647780420185511402013-09-18T14:15:00.000-07:002013-09-18T14:15:29.118-07:00The Yom Kippur War: Forty Years Out<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</h1>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Mongolian Baiti; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Written by Michael Anfang (Hanefesh IA)</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Baskerville Old Face';"> </span>Many look at the Yom Kippur war
as a defeat; something to be mourned rather than celebrated. I consent that we did not win this
strife with the Arab nations as handily as we did in 1967, however Israel is
still alive and just as strong, if not stronger, than it was on the ninth of
Tishrei, 5734 (October 5, 1973). I
then propose that we look at this war and what it means given the modern
situation.</div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
After
the Six Days War (June 5-10, 1967), Egypt and Syria were constantly lamenting
their loss of territory to Israel.
Egypt’s Sadat made constant threats to regain the land that they lost,
with actual military planning beginning in 1971. Syria, who had been Egypt’s ally ever since the time
of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961), was also not happy about losing the
Golan in the 1967 war and released aggressive rhetoric, albeit less aggressive
than that of Sadat. In the days
and weeks leading up to Yom Kippur, both Egypt and Syria conducted military
exercises close to the border that included many reservists. Many in the Israeli government,
including Prime Minister Golda Meir, brushed these exercises as simply normal
drills (at this time many countries, including Israel, would have exercises
like these near their borders). On
Yom Kippur morning Meir, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, and IDF Chief of Staff
David Elazar met to discuss the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against
Syria. Dayan told Meir that war
was not necessarily imminent while Elazar argued to strike Syrian air, missile
and ground forces all that day.
Obviously Meir sided with Dayan and thus the Arabs were given the first
opportunity to strike.</div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
At
2:00 pm on October 6<sup>th</sup>, the Egyptian Air Force sent two hundred
planes on a bombing mission to destroy Israeli targets. Over the next three hours, Egypt
sent over thirty thousand soldiers into the Sinai to attack the Israeli
fortifications known as the Bar Lev Line.
Through the night, Egypt breached the Bar Lev Line and brought in
hundreds of tanks and thousands of soldiers. Over the next few days Israel held their ground with some
casualties on both sides until Israel broke through with an offensive on
October 14<sup>th</sup>. Starting
on October 14<sup>th</sup>, the IDF pierced a hole in the Egyptian ranks and,
with the help of the IAF’s aerial support, drove the Egyptian army back. By October 23<sup>rd</sup>, the UN
Security Council had passed a resolution for a ceasefire, which was immediately
ignored by Egypt and Israel had pushed Egypt back to the 1967 borders and
surrounded Egypt’s 3<sup>rd</sup> army.
By October 28<sup>th</sup>, after heavy efforts by the United States, a
ceasefire was declared between Egypt and Israel and lasted until the more
permanent treaty was signed in January of 1974.</div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
The
northern front followed a pattern fairly similar to that of the southern
front. In the first couple of
days, Syrian forces engaged thousands of tanks and infantrymen in the Golan and
captured several key Israeli strongholds.
Israeli tanks and fortifications holding back massive Syrian forces
until they were overwhelmed characterized the first couple days of the northern
fight. By the end of October 8<sup>th</sup>,
Israeli reservists had arrived and started pushing the Syrians back; the forces
were at the 1967 lines by October 10<sup>th</sup>. Between October 11<sup>th</sup> and October 14<sup>th</sup>
Israeli forces advanced towards Damascus, and at their closest point were
shelling the Syrian capital at a distance of only 40km. This offensive push into Syria incited
Iran and Jordan to put men on the ground against Israel, although neither
nation used many resources. Over
the nine days following October 14<sup>th</sup>, Israel was attempting to rid
the Golan of Syrian forces (it reclaimed Mr. Hermon on October 22<sup>nd</sup>),
while Arab forces were attempting to push Israel out of 1967 Syria. Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad
(Bashar’s father) accepted the ceasefire on October 23<sup>rd</sup> and Iraq
and Jordan followed suit.</div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
After
many ceasefires had been called and it was looking as though the dust was
settling, US Secretary of State Harry Kissinger (who won the Nobel Peace Prize
for withdrawing from Vietnam) made a major effort for all the countries to sign
peace deals. Israel signed a peace
treaty with Egypt in 1978 (Camp David Accords with Carter, Sadat, and Begin)
and a treaty with Jordan in 1994 (Clinton, Hussein, and Rabin). Israel and Syria have never signed a
treaty. Over the course of
nineteen days, approximately 2,500 Israeli soldiers were lost while around
15,000 Arab (Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi, and Jordanian) soldiers were lost. </div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
So
what does this mean for us in 5774?
As the tenth of Tishrei approaches we face a similar menace to that of
forty years ago. The IDF is
receiving major cuts due to Israel’s national debt and Finance Minister Yair
Lapid’s draconian budget cuts. Israel
does not need fewer defenses these days, but rather it needs its protectors
more than ever. The Shia crescent
is becoming stronger by the day, even considering the weakened stance of Syrian
President Bashar Al- Assad. There
is no political power in the office of the President of Iran; all real power
rests in the hands of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini. This means that nuclear reactors will
keep spinning with the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program sprinting towards
wielding the greatest weapon known to mankind. The Shia crescent is not limited to Iran and Syria, but also
includes Hezbollah, with both Israeli intelligence and it’s chief Hassan
Nasrallah claiming that the terrorist organization possesses tens of thousands
of missiles, all of which are aimed at Israel. With turmoil in Syria, the possibility of Hezbollah gaining
access to Assad’s vast supply of chemical weapons is more and more looming.</div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
The
threats are not solely exterior, but also interior. Ethnicity based clashes and vandalisms are becoming more and
more common, not just on the Israeli side but also the Arab side. Israeli extremists vandalize Muslim
property on a regular basis in what are known as “price tag attacks”, which
most often occur in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem. These Israelis are called terrorists by the left but
patriots by the right. They are
working against the Islamic threat posed by the “Palestinians”. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah this
year, Arabs were stoning Israeli security officers who were simply guarding the
Western Wall area of the Temple Mount.
It shows that, although we would love to believe otherwise, those people
have not changed. We would love to
have a peace deal with every country in the world, including the possibility of
a Palestinian state, but we cannot do so with countries that will not even
recognize our right to exist. </div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
So
then I ask that this weekend when you are in shul for Yom Kippur to think about
Israel’s future. Should we
continue to rest on our laurels and not prepare for the challenges at hand in
the hope that we can squeak out another victory as we did in 1973? Or should we act now and repeat
1967? Will you tell your children
and grandchildren about how you pushed for Israel to allow a terrorist state
within its historical and legal borders, or how you kept all of the Holy Land
as Israel? Will you stand idly by
while Israel stares down the threat of Iran, or will you tell your politicians
that we cannot accept this major threat to global security? I beg of you to not sit on your hands
with your head in the sand, but rather open your eyes and do something. If not for yourself, then for
Israel. We have the power to put
our voices (and our dollars) to use in strengthening the State of Israel. The last question is for how long can
we inscribe Israel into the Book of Life? The answer to that is up to you.</div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Shanah
tova.</div>
</span><i style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
</i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Michael
Anfang is the USY International Chair for Israel Promotions 2013, USY
International Co-Chair of Israel Challenge 2013, and Hanefesh USY Israel
Affairs Vice President 2013-2014.
He is also Senior Middle East Fellow at the Longmeadow Secondary
International Organization. </i><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">"All
opinions expressed are my own and do not intend to reflect the views and/or
policies of USY on this matter."</span></i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
</i></span></span>
<!--EndFragment--><!--EndFragment-->USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-18434242573580399852013-05-29T17:57:00.002-07:002013-05-29T17:57:15.437-07:00Israel National Team Invites USY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out USY's personal invite to the Israel vs. Honduras soccer game this Sunday:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/W8Y-pGgemgo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And don't forget to buy tickets at: tinyurl.com/ISRsoccer</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-43275503321499850582013-05-21T15:12:00.003-07:002013-05-29T17:57:30.524-07:00Israel Plays Honduras Next Month at Citifield- Come and Show Your Support!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;">Written by Isabel Malmazada (METNY)</span></h3>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next month, the Israeli National Soccer Team will play a
friendly game against Honduras on June 2<sup>nd</sup>, at the Citified Stadium
in New York, just hours after the Israeli Day Parade. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Israel’s first time playing in New York in
over thirty-five years; however, the game is just a warm up for the World Cup
qualifiers. The Israeli national team is ranked No. 66 in the world and is led
by coach Eli Guttman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On May 13<sup>th</sup>, Coach Eli Guttman along with
player Daniel Amos held a phone call press conference in anticipation of the
game. I had the privilege of being able to call in on this conference and ask
them what their message is for the USY-ers and Schechter students from all over
the region that are coming out to support Israel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The message [for the USY-ers] is [that] our country is a
strong country. We want to develop our football and we want to show quality,”
said Guttman, “For us, it’s very, very important that the young Jewish people
that will come will leave the stadium proud about Israel’s national team.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">USY has built up a strong relationship with the Israel
Football Association, and USY-ers will have the opportunity to partake in
honorary roles before the game, like singing the Hatikvah.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I further asked what it means to be playing the same day as
the Israeli day parade.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s our job to represent Israeli football and the Israeli
country as strong and professional,” said Guttman, “and one who is the best.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coincidentally, the New York region hosts the largest
Jewish populations outside of Israel with more than 1.5 million Jews living in
New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">So, it’s going to be
a great game next month! Check out USY’s personal invite to the game next month:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-Bksv7QQCUU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-Bksv7QQCUU</a> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<h3>
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">and make sure to get your tickets at: <b>tinyrul.com/ISRsoccer</b></span></h3>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-69409863779634504932013-04-18T16:34:00.004-07:002013-04-18T16:34:35.982-07:00The Good Life<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Alex Good (Hagesher)</span></h3>
<div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An experience I will never forget was being able to go on a
USY Poland/Israel Pilgrimage Second Departure. Among many experiences, those
that influenced me the most were trips to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz
II-Birkenau. Visiting Mount Hertzel Cemetery in Israel blindsided me with a
connection that was closer than I thought. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While in Poland we went to Auschwitz I. We walked up to the
gate and saw “Arbeit Macht Frei”- “Work will set you free”. The sign I've often
heard of was right in front of me, a historical symbol of Nazi inhumanity. The
barracks held display cases filled with items collected from the prisoners. One
case contained crutches, prosthetic legs and feet. Thinking about how these
life-aiding items were forcibly removed from them evoked a sense of rage within
me. When I approached the case full of hair, I witnessed my friend crying and
saw another friend hug and console her. I arrived in a narrow hallway with
cases on both sides containing mounds of shoes. When my friend put his around
me, I realized that was the first true bonding experience of the trip. At that
moment I started to cry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our
next destination was Auschwitz II-Birkenau. I walked in and saw the train
tracks; an instant blow to the heart. The feeling that overcame me when I saw
those train tracks, was one I will never have again. One of my counselors
looked at me, saw that I was upset, and tied an Israeli flag onto my backpack.
I walked onto the train tracks, with the wind blowing at the flag and I was
immediately calmed. Even though I had not yet been to Israel and didn't have a
strong emotional connection, standing on the tracks where thousands of Jewish
people were systematically murdered, learning their history and honoring their
memories laid the foundation for my evolving connection to Israel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
Israel we visited Mount Hertzel Cemetery where fallen IDF soldiers are buried.
Michael Levin was the son of a family in our community and the brother of one
of my Hebrew school teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I approached his grave, the first thing I saw was an Eagles hat. Knowing Michael
was an avid Philadelphia sports fan my first reaction was to smile. Without
thinking I took my Flyers hat off and set it down next to his grave. Only then,
realizing how similar our experiences were, did I begin to cry. Our connection
runs much deeper than growing up in the same community; Michael also went on
USY Poland/Israel Pilgrimage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These experiences impacted me in the way that made me
realize I am a part of something bigger than myself. It reminds me of an
important Jewish concept, L’dor V’dor: From Generation to Generation. I am
proud to link my experiences with those of generations past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud to be able to tell my
stories to future generations. I am proud to be Jewish.</span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-179056569591381262013-04-17T18:45:00.003-07:002013-04-17T18:45:54.443-07:00My Best Friend is Five<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Lauren Kerner (Far West)</span></h3>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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Pilgrimage was perfect! I wish I could tell you how many
times I almost peed in my pants from laughing so hard (final count: 3 ½.) There
was a moment for me to feel every single feeling under the sun: I felt
overwhelmingly blessed when I landed in Tel Aviv for the very first time, I
felt extremely connected to God at the Kotel on my first full day in Israel, I
felt so loved by my amazing group (L’ Takayn Olam G3 2012! 15 strong! And the
best 3 staff a USYer could ever hope for), I felt so infectiously happy when I
was running around the Rambam Medical Center with my new 5 year old best
friend, Shir, I felt empowered after accomplishing the remarkable feat of
repainting an entire gymnasium in four hours, I felt like anything was possible
in Israel and even though I was in hysterics in Ben-Gurion after saying goodbye
to my staff and felt like the entire world ended when I boarded my flight back
to California, I knew I had just experienced the greatest summer of my life and
I would never trade it for the world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This
is one of my all time favorite pilgrimage stories- the scene is set: Haifa,
Israel. Group 3 had moved into two well-sized dormitory styled homes on the
Beit Rutenberg campus. Us girls definitely knew how to party and each night for
a week, the communal showers in our house were filled with a Disney’s greatest
hits song session. Each morning we would wake up at the crack of dawn, get
ready for our volunteer placements (The Ofakim School for children with
Cerebral Palsy, the Haifa Zoo, and the Meyer Children’s Hospital), eat a hearty
breakfast, get some words of wisdom from our sainted host, Barry, and head out
for the day in taxi busses. With four of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>some of my closest friends, we drove down the humungous hill into Haifa
and walked into the children’s hospital. We were given a brief tour on the
first day and that was it! We were free to roam as we pleased and give our
friendship and love to anyone we could find. I found Shir.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let
me tell you about Shir. She is the cutest, spunkiest, and silliest 5 year-old
on the planet! I met Shir in the classroom of the Internal Medicine ward and we
became instant buddies. On the first day, we had a blast getting to know each
other by coloring and making jewelry and laughing at funny noises we could
make. I don’t speak a single word of Hebrew and she didn’t speak a single word
of English but that didn’t matter to us- we were soul sisters! On the next day,
I returned and found Shir back in the classroom. We made more jewelry and spent
more time singing En-Den-Dino and laughing with each other. Then, a nurse
rushed in and told Shir and her mother that they needed to see the doctor
immediately. Shir refused! She would not go unless I went with her. Her mother
asked me if I could “please, please, please,” come with them. I thought for a
few seconds, “Oh my gosh! That’s in the huge medical center… what if my rosh
can’t find me? What if this? What if that?” and then I realized that those were
stupid questions. This is what I came here to do; I came to make a difference
in someone’s life and this was my chance. So hand in hand with my little
friend, I went to all of Shir’s doctor’s appointments and infusions with all
kinds of different doctors, but honestly, we had such a blast! Put two
energetic girls in a big room with slippery floors and you’ve got two very loud
singers doing the chicken dance in the middle of the Rambam Medical Center. It
didn’t matter how old I was or where I was from, Shir and I were best friends. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>That
whole week was amazing. After volunteering, we would come back, have lunch, go
on an afternoon adventure (those were so cool! Haifa has the Baha’i holy
grounds, the Technion, an awesome Arab community, and the Grand Canyon Mall!
It’s an awesome city.), return for drink and cake, a late afternoon program,
dinner, an evening program, and then we’d do it all again the next day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Haifa
changed my life. The days I spent with Shir have become some of my most
cherished memories. This little girl was an inspiration to me for the entire
trip. When I said my goodbye to Shir, we were both in tears. She was crying
because the bracelet we had just made broke and all of the beads were scattered
across the floor of her hospital room. I was crying because of how much this
little girl meant to me and how much she taught me about being happy and being
strong. She gave me the biggest hug and kiss and she said in English, “I love
you, Lauren!” and I walked out of the Meyer Children’s Hospital thinking that
maybe I made a difference to her, but I knew the real difference was made in
me. She changed my heart and taught me that you don’t need to have anything in
common with a person to love them and that no matter where you are or what
circumstances you find yourself in, you can always be happy. The day our group
left Haifa, Shir was able to go home. Nothing made me happier knowing that my
little friend was back to mischief and being a little girl again. I think about
Shir all the time and I am constantly in contact with her family via Facebook.
Shir calls me her sister, and it’s true- I now have this beautiful, amazing
family to call my own in Haifa and I know that I will back to visit them soon.</div>
<!--EndFragment--></span></div>
USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-62466364004908480022013-04-17T17:45:00.000-07:002013-04-17T18:44:16.935-07:00Yom Haatzmaut Through the Eyes of a TRY-er<br />
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Written by Michael Seidenfeld (METNY)</span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Yom HaAtzmaut in Israel is quite a
unique experience. Sure, we have 4<sup>th</sup> of July in America, but the
passion and meaning is nowhere near the same level as in Israel. First, it
starts off with Yom HaZikaron, the Day of Remembrance, the day before. On this
day Israelis commemorate all the fallen soldiers, which sadly tends to be a
very close-to-home issue in a country like Israel.</span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, as the sun goes down and
services end, it’s like you switch between two different worlds. Almost
instantly Israel becomes one massive party. The streets of Ben Yehuda are
filled to the brim with people all dancing, singing, and rejoicing. There’s
music and DJs at every corner, people are spraying confetti everywhere; it’s as
if the entire nation of Israel becomes one big nightclub overnight. All through
the night people carry on like this, until the next day comes and the
festivities continue. The custom is to have a big barbeque (like in the US), so
during my time in Israel on TRY, we went to the beach for the day, hanging out in
the sun, a grilling up chicken. It was an amazing experience unlike any other.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nowhere else have I felt such a sense of community and
camaraderie with total strangers. It was certainly an experience I’ll remember
and cherish forever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->USY Israelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01731698653435367067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810002222395136201.post-68577887580852875872013-04-07T13:46:00.004-07:002013-04-17T18:44:08.040-07:00AIPAC: A Trip of a Life Time<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Written by Miles Greenspoon (Seaboard)</span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Dear fourteen-year-old Miles,</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s me here. Well, you, to be exact. Even though I know
this letter will never get to the past, I feel compelled to write it. You’re
about to enter high school, which means a lot more USY activities. But between
your chapter’s convention preparations and your Skype calls with your Wheels
friends, a lot of your time will surround Israel. Even if you don’t go to
Israel during high school (trust me, you’ll try your hardest but it just won’t
work out), you’ll still want to advocate for Israel, educate others about
Israel, and fall in love with everything about Israel over and over again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s important that you develop that feeling as soon as
possible, because it’s going to serve you well when USY brings you along to
three AIPAC Policy Conferences in the next four years.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah, you read that right: three. You’ll be attending the
AIPAC Policy Conference in your freshman, junior, and senior years of high
school. And let me tell you, every experience you have is going to be amazing in
its own, unique way – that’s the way AIPAC does it. And each year, you will
fall in love with Israel all over again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each year, you will be awed by just how large the plenary
room is. You’ll see thousands upon thousands of people: AIPAC delegates, board
members and volunteers; news reporters; clergy members of all religions; adults
and students like you who care deeply about Israel. Each year, you will feel a
sense of pride when a speaker mentions the thousands of students in the room,
and the rest of the room gives you a standing ovation (keep on smiling even
after it happens for the fourth or fifth time during the conference). Each
year, you will hear insightful speakers talk about both the trials and
tribulations Israel must face as well as the innovations Israel has created.
Each year, you will fall in love with Israel all over again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But each year, your understanding of Israel will mature.
Your questions directed at speakers will be more thoughtful, more insightful.
You will listen to your senators with more resolve, knowing that they are
amongst the biggest Israel supporters in the Senate. You will see the AIPAC
Policy Conference in a new light, appreciating the different yearly theme even
more and everything that it says about the relationship between the United
States and Israel. Each year, you will be even more determined to commit
yourself as an ally of Israel. Each year, you will fall in love with Israel all
over again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if you never do get to read these words,
fourteen-year-old Miles, you will get to experience these feelings. Not only do
you have the opportunity of a lifetime, you get to take USY up on that offer
three times. I can’t wait to see what we both do with the information we learn
from AIPAC, and I can’t wait to watch you fall in love with Israel all over
again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yours truly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miles Greenspoon (eighteen-year-old Miles, that is)</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=810002222395136201" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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