Virtual Israel Experience

Stuart Donnett

Just recently I returned from a 36-day excursion to Israel. B'nai Brith Youth Organization and Oranim Travel organized my trip. I also received a very generous grant of $4000 from The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. Thanks to these organizations I had an incredible experience.

Among my family's as well as my foremost concerns about the trip was the issue of my personal safety. As these are trying times for the State of Israel, I was quite hesitant to embark on such a potentially dangerous visit. However, looking back on the time I spent there, I was never once afraid for my personal safety. In fact I extended my trip from its original 28 days to 36 days because I was having such a wonderful time.

Upon our arrival in Israel, my group was greeted by a number of people organizing our trip. We met the Director of Oranim Travel who spoke with us and reassured us. Next we met with our guide and counselors. Finally we were introduced to our medic and our bus driver, both of whom could double as armed guards. We grew to become friends with all of them. They even helped us with our shopping.

Our schedule was reassessed each day. If a particular area of our visit seemed to be experiencing unrest, our agenda was changed and we visited elsewhere. We were able to go to the fresh air markets in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem without event. We climbed mountains, camped on Masada, floated in the Dead Sea, lived on kibbutzim, rode camels, visited a Druze town, visited the Western Wall, trekked through the area around the Galilee, and had the time of our lives.

Israel is such a different place than America. It was surprising to see the soldiers walking down the crowded streets armed. But it was also reassuring. I was fortunate in that I got a chance to talk with my cousins. I was also fortunate in that for a weekend, I got to live with an Israeli family who was extremely gracious, kind, and helpful to me. I made friends with the other students from all across America that were on the trip. I feel very lucky to have had this experience.

BBYO put our safety first at all times while keeping the trip a positive one. Despite the fact that these are troubled times for Israel, I strongly encourage all those considering a visit to Israel to go. There are so many positives to the experience and I think that the Israelis will make you feel welcome and keep you safe as they did for us. I think that there is truly no more danger for the visitor to Israel than there is for the visitor to the United States, perhaps less. Be a smart visitor and you will have the trip of your life.

Stuart graduated from Walnut Hills High School. He is a member of Temple Sholom and a graduate of the Cincinnati Reform Jewish High School. Stuart was an active member in BBYO and NFTY.

Copyright 2008 The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise