Spring Break
She (and Israel) will never be the same
A writer's account of her 10-day trip to Israel
by Joanna Schorr
Features | 7/12/07
Posted online at 4:30 AM EST on 7/12/07
When we went out for the evening, Nizan and Hadar, two of our soldiers, wore their machine guns like fashion accessories, draped over their shoulders while dancing in a club. The notion of mandatory military service for Israelis prior to college had always seemed like a strange concept. The soldiers I met, however, love serving their country. They made Israel seem more extraordinary in my eyes than all of the site seeing and hiking could have ever shown me. The differences in our cultures became less drastic each day.
By the time I was on my way back to JFK International airport, I had not found my faith and I had not yet planned my move to Israel. I did, however, gain a first-hand understanding of why Israel is such a moving place to so many people.
Momo's initial words that first day had finally become meaningful to me.
After experiencing the land, Israel was no longer the terrifying media magnet I read about in the newspaper - although my hotel bed was by no means luxurious, Momo got it right; I did feel at home, at last.
By the time I was on my way back to JFK International airport, I had not found my faith and I had not yet planned my move to Israel. I did, however, gain a first-hand understanding of why Israel is such a moving place to so many people.
Momo's initial words that first day had finally become meaningful to me.
After experiencing the land, Israel was no longer the terrifying media magnet I read about in the newspaper - although my hotel bed was by no means luxurious, Momo got it right; I did feel at home, at last.
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