Am Yisrael (עם ישראל)

When I hear the term, Am Yisrael, I think of Judaism and Jewish people. The continuation of Am Yisrael to some sects of Judaism is creating more babies and keeping the Jewish blood alive while others think differently. More secular Jews think that the continuation of Am Yisrael is about having a place for them by serving in the IDF. However, both of those things are very important to the continuation of the Jewish people because without a Jewish land there is no people and vice versa.

I think that I am an important part of Am Yisrael. Since I am the new Membership Vice President of my NFTY Region, I am able to advocate for Israel during events and talk about it with my friends. Not only at NFTY events but also at school I can bring up the topic of Israel with my friends and see their side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if they have one. Since being in Israel, I think that my part of being a part of Am Yisrael has only grown. 

Rabbi Callie

Back at home in California, one of my favorite Rabbi's is leaving my temple, Peninsula Temple Beth-El. Her name is Rabbi Callie Schulman. This is a big event to me not only because this is the 2nd time one of my favorite Rabbi's is leaving, but a huge and important person in our community is leaving. Rabbi Callie is very special to me because she has made a big impact on me as a person. She has helped me mature through out my high school and helped me find my Jewish identity. Rabbi Callie is the person in charge of the teen youth at my temple. She has helped out with some of our TYG events and with our Wednesday Night Program (WNP). I believe that without Rabbi Callie there, the whole WNP will change but then again whenever there is something new, things change. I am excited to see the new change that will happen at my temple and can't wait to be apart of it. However, I am sad because Rabbi Callie won't be able to help and see me finish off my high school career. Rabbi Callie is an amazing person and Rabbi and any congregation that gets her will be lucky.

Yam Le'Yam

Yam Le'Yam was a definitely interesting and fun trip. I really enjoyed the camping and seeing the beautiful landscape of Israel. It was interesting to learn the skills that we would need to help ourselves stay alive. We learned how to find north and I also learned some tricks from my teammates. This trip really pushed me to my limits. I was able to learn more about myself. I learned how I am with others especially in this type of situation. I was able to have and create friendships with the others in my team. My team I think was the best team. Even though we didn't finish first in some challenges, we worked really well together surprisingly. The trip overall of the long trips we have done, is my favorite. It really reminded me of California and camping back at home. I can now say that Israel is my home.

Mezrachi Jews

A few weeks ago, in class we were talking about refugees. During the time after the 6 Day war, not only were there Arab refugees but there we also Jewish refugees from Arab countries like Iran and Iraq. These refugees were called Mezrachi Jews. My family on my dad's side are Mezrachi Jews. They immigrated from Iran and Iraq and played a big part in the Jews leaving. My great grandfather was the man to go to. He was able to forge passports and papers for the Jews to leave those countries which I think is pretty cool. During the trek from the Arab countries to Israel, the Jews weren't allowed to keep any property. When they left their homes they left everything behind. When the Mezrachi Jews came to Israel they were sorta thought of as second hand citizens who weren't as important as Ashkenazi Jews. Mezrachi Jews have had to deal with many hardships and still do today. Statistically, Mezrachi Jews are less educated and more likely to not go to University unlike Ashkenazi Jews. For myself, I grew up in a mixed household of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews so I never knew of this problem that Sephardic/Mezrachi Jews faced. I think that Mezrachi and Ashkenazi Jews are different because of culture but the same as Jews and people and Mezrachi Jews should have more of a voice in the society.

American Jews and Israel

As an North American Jew I am able to understand and see the discomfort that North American Jews face in Israel. With being blamed for the decline in Judaism and not living culturally Jewish. I think that that is not fully true. Yes North American Jews are more assimilated and aren't as culturally Jewish, however North American Jews seem to me to be more religious than Israelis that aren't any type of orthodoxy. I think that I am a decently religious Reform Jew in America. I don't take part in shabbat at home but I uphold the moral and ethical values of Judaism. Judaism has and will always be a huge part of my life. Israel already thinks that I am not a respectable Jew because I am a Modern Reform Jew. Israel does try and make it a safe place for us North American Jews but also says that we Jews aren't Jews because of intermarriage, interfaith relationships, and other things that North American Jews tend to do.

'Jewish' Food in Poland

In Lviv, Ukraine, there is a Jewish themed restaurant connected to the 16th-century Golden Rose Synagogue. In this restaurant, the staff dress up as Haredim. They were the hat with fake peyot attached to it. The author, Cnaan Liphshiz, goes a long with the restaurant's racist and stereotypical actions and finds out that they aren't on purpose necessarily. Yes the owners opened a Jewish themed restaurant but is mainly for the tourists and the customers. All people have some type of stereotyping in there brain and sometimes enjoy it when its makes them laugh or enjoy what they are talking about. In the restaurant, there aren't any prices because Jews love to bargain. That is not exactly true for all Jews, however when the owner was told of this issue of racism, using this example, they said that Ukrainians too like to bargain. The Golden Rose restaurant may seem racist and rude, which to me sorta is, but is a way of providing for their families and jobs. I am not a supporter but I believe that everything is done for a reason, and this one's reason is to just make money even though it is a horrible and disgusting way to do so.

Poland Experience

During our trip to Poland, our class put a big emphasis on the resistance. During the Holocaust, the Jews would try their hardest to resist from being captured and killed by the Germans. This theme really stuck out to me not only because of the perseverance of the Jews but my personal connection. My great grandmother was an extraordinary woman. She lived in Germany with my grandfather (Papa) and his sister. My great grandma had to send away my Papa and his sister to Sweden in a Kinder Transport. My great grandmother was an important person in my life because she was such an inspiring person. She left her children for 10 years in order to keep her children and herself safe and free from the Nazi's.

My great grandmother went to China, England, and other places to keep the resisting against the Germans. My great grandmothers wasn't the only person who did this, many other families were separated to keep themselves safe, and especially the children. Her, and like many others, are such an inspiration to me and other Jews. Those who were able to not have Hitler and the Nazi's win, are the definition of resistance. They were able to still be Jewish and still be alive, and to me that is a blessing to know. To be able to live on and become a loving and inclusive community. In one of Martin Niemoller's famous quotes, "First they came for the Socialists..." we are able to see that if we don't stand up for those who are different, then who will be there for us. I believe that through the resistance and the progression of Judaism, the culture has put more of a emphasis on community because if there is no one left who will be there to help you out.