Virtual Israel Experience

Shawn Bernstein

I would like to thank you for the $4000 grant you gave me so that I could travel to Israel this summer. This trip has opened my eyes to a whole new concept of living, and the thoughts of making aliyah. After going through all of the concentration camps I felt the pain and agony of a people that have been persecuted for thousands of years.

I traveled first to Poland where my group toured Warsaw, and visited Treblinka death camp. We also went to Auschwitz and saw those places where the people were gassed and burned. After our extremely sad look at Poland we traveled to Prague and visited the major Jewish sites in the Czech Republic. These places included the Old and New synagogue and the Jewish cemetery in Prague.

After we completed our journey in Eastern Europe we traveled to Israel. After being in a place where we as Jews are hated, coming to Israel was the most uplifting thing that I have ever experienced.

Without your financial help I would not have been able to have this amazing experience. We were told that every Jew is half-Israeli; therefore we are coming home, home to Israel. We met with Israelis, and learned of the first Jewish settlers in modern Palestine. We also met with a gentleman who took part in Operation Moses. This was the operation to begin taking the Ethiopian Jews out of Ethiopia.

I do not think that words can express the gratitude that I have for all that I have received. The main thing I have gained is a whole new look at my life and my Jewish values. This along with the wonderful friends will never be forgotten.

There were two parts to this journey. The part where you actually go and visit these places, and when you come back and tell people about what you have just seen. Therefore, if you would like me to come and speak about the experiences I have had I would be more than glad to do so. Once again thank you so much for the most wonderful gift that you have given me.

Shawn Bernstein is a senior at Wyoming High School. He is a member of B'nai Tzedek. He attends Mercaz Religious High School. He is also a member of Young Judaea.

Copyright 2008 The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise