Birthright Israel registration is NOW OPEN!! There are a number of incredible, meaningful, and fun trips to Israel for #Angelenos to go the LA Way, and we want to make sure you know about how life-changing a Birthright Israel trip can be! From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, the Negev to the North, the opportunity to experience Israel and form lifelong friendships is one you don’t want to miss!
We interviewed Cherie, a recent LA Way Birthright Israel participant, about why she decided to travel to Israel with the Federation on Birthright Israel and how the experience impacted her.
Tell us a little about yourself:
A little background on me; I’m a Jew by choice. I converted two years ago. I knew I wanted to be Jewish, have a Jewish home, and one day raise a Jewish family when I was introduced to Judaism 10 years ago. I took classes and my conversion was finalized two years ago, but by then I had technically aged out of Birthright1. With the encouragement of my friends I decided to apply to Birthright and see what would happen. That was the best decision I’ve made in a very long time. I embarked on a journey with 38 total strangers. It gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in my country’s culture, history, food, and people. I met extraordinary beings and created memories that will never fade.
What was your favorite moment of the trip?
I had the most incredible lunch in Jaffa. After we wandered the hot city looking at different graffiti artists’ work, we were on our own in the flea market for lunch. A friend of mine had planned to meet a family friend for the first time. Long story short, his father was at Auschwitz with my friend’s grandfather. He moved her sick grandfather from one bunk to another to hide him from the Nazis. To me it’s always impactful to hear Holocaust survivors’ stories, but to be in the presence of one family that saved another, to hear this boisterous man talk about life, is an entirely different feeling. This lunch will forever be in my heart as we listened to his stories, feasted on tasty falafel, and ended with coffee and tea, and playing shesh besh (Hebrew for backgammon). (If you’re wondering, in just two minutes flat, he managed to squash the shesh besh title I worked so hard to earn on my Birthright bus!)
Were you involved with Jewish life before the trip and/or do you plan to be involved now that the trip is over?
I always involve myself in Jewish life whenever and wherever possible. As a convert, this isn’t always easy. I didn’t feel truly welcomed until I had the immersive experience of Birthright Israel. Things that make sense to most I sometimes don’t quite get (or know) because I did not have that growing up. I host Shabbat meals with my “Shabbos Crew” (and now Birthright group), go to synagogue during the High Holidays, and volunteer during Purim. Post Birthright, I’m trying to do more. I’m a Kahn Fellow** because I want to help keep my group connected, I want to study Hebrew, I’m applying to a leadership program, and I attend any and all events thrown my way when possible. The incredible thing about Judaism is there is always more to learn. Converting wasn’t the end for me — it was only the beginning.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about going on Birthright?
DO IT! It’s a free and inspiring trip to our homeland. Save those sick and vacation days at work. Put away money to cover your expenses while you are away. Even if you’ve been to Israel before with family, this is entirely different. You create relationships and a sense of community that you get to bring back to Los Angeles. I would HIGHLY recommend extending your stay if possible. I know so many people who regret NOT going and those who aged out of it before they had the chance to go. Don’t let it pass you by. Make it happen — it’s a trip of a lifetime!
To learn more about Birthright Israel LA Way and the Kahn Fellowship, please contact Sarah Austin at Saustin@JewishLA.org.
1For LA Way Birthright Israel trips, an age exemption can be made for participants between 27-29 years old who are currently working in the entertainment industry. In order to get this exemption, applicants should contact us at birthrightla@jewishla.org to receive instructions on how to proceed through the application
**Kahn Fellowship encourages leadership and social and peer engagement to the thousands of Birthright Israel participants in the LA area. Jewish Federation Los Angeles deeply appreciates the generosity of the Kahn Living Trust for its support of the Kahn Fellowship.
