My Heart is in the East

Israel. For over two thousand years we have yearned to have a homeland, to be a free people in a free nation. To uphold the covenant and return to The Promised Land; to pray at The Western Wall. That place is finally a reality. Israel today exists as a free, democratic Jewish nation. The people that live here are incredibly diverse. The land of Israel contains the vast majority of the history for the Jewish people: it is here that God promised Abraham, here that David built his kingdom, here that Israel has defended itself and prospered for the last 62 years. I first experienced Israel in 2004, on a semester program called EIE with an unbelievable group of quality kids and teachers, and since I set foot on this holy land I knew that a part of me will always belong here.

Since my return I have been on many adventures (which I will post about very soon), but it is the intangibles that have touched me the most. When advocating for Israel in America, most will ask why some get so passionate, and look for an explanation as to why Israel is special. The answer usually consists of the ideology behind the modern country and the Jewish people, and an explanation of the realities of the situation. This answer, however does not do the country justice. I feel that to truly "get" Israel and to truly understand why this place is so special, one must actually experience this land for themselves. The wonder that is Israel cannot be taught, it can only be learned. One must understand the history, and then become part of it. The wonder of Israel exists because Israel itself exists.

My friend Avi told me a few nights ago (in a very British accent): "I wasn't concerned about you when you left IDC and Herzeliya 4 years ago. I knew you had 'the bug, the itch', you understood. I knew you would return. Welcome Home." As I walked back to my apartment from that conversation I saw a family across the street in a beautiful Jerusalem park. I could just barely hear the children, who were playing on the merry-go-round. They were laughing... in Hebrew. I couldn't contain my smile as I realized that it was so true, I do have the bug... and I do feel Home.