Birthright surprises: one student’s story

, by Miriam Leshin, Features Editor

“Leave your parents. Leave your country. Move to Israel.”

This was the beginning of Interior Minister of Israel Meir Sheetrit’s speech at Taglit-Birthright’s infamous Mega Event.

Every June and January, thousands of Jewish kids travel to Israel for free through Taglit-Birthright, an organization that wealthy Jewish philanthropists began in 2000 and continue to fund today. Every trip includes mandatory attendance at the Taglit-Birthright Mega Event—a bizarre series of speeches and artistic performances (which may include rock versions of your favorite prayers), hosted by the Carson Daly of Israel.

The Mega Event can most easily be likened to a Jewish Cirque du Soleil—performances even included “Stomp”-like drumming and acrobatic climbing in the shape of a Jewish star. These festivities are followed by a disco dance so that Jews from all over the world can meet each other. Tiny Israeli flags are given out to all guests.

Though the Interior Minister may have intended his statement as satirical commentary on the very existence of a Birthright trip, he certainly did not do much to refute the assumption held by many that Birthright exists to brainwash and persuade Jews to settle in Israel, become citizens (“make Aliyah”), and fight in the army.

When I signed up for Birthright this fall, it was with great trepidation. Not that I had heard bad things. On the contrary, I had heard wonderful things. All of my Jewish friends who had gone—even those who had had reservations about it—came back excited to be Jewish, and some even excited to move to Israel someday. That a ten-day trip with complete strangers to a completely strange land could have such a powerful effect on someone is absurd and a bit terrifying.

I eventually signed up at the urgings of my friends from high school, thinking it would be a good chance to reconnect with them and maybe also with Judaism. I don’t consider myself a religious person. I went to Hebrew school, I was Bat Mitzvah’d, and I can read Hebrew, though I have no idea what the words I’m reading actually mean—and I didn’t enjoy most of it. I identify as Jewish culturally and spiritually, and very minimally, religiously. Essentially, I went on Birthright because I was curious and it was free.

In fact, I expected the trip to turn me off from Judaism and Israel completely. I thought I would be disgusted with the constant stream of Israeli history and contemporary politics our tour guide would (and did) spout at us 24/7. I thought I would spend my time plugging into my iPod to block it out, while enjoying the scenery.

I was wrong. Birthright is far more of an intellectual experience than most people think. You are gaining knowledge for free.

You drive all over the country to historically relevant cemeteries, museums, mountains, communities, and monuments. With the exception of the Mega Event—which disillusioned me so much that I was able to fall asleep amidst the throbbing bass of Israeli rock music—I never felt pressure to support Israel’s policies or move there. My trip even included a visit to a Bedouin tribe and a guided tour led by an Israeli Arab. That’s probably as pluralistic and objective as a prepaid, Jewish trip to Israel can get.

  • SF

    yeah. my boyfriend admitted he was brainwashed kthx

  • Melissa

    My “ex” boyfriend insinuated I’m a burden on him after returning from a birthright trip. He accidentally let some words slip along the lines of “i love you but youre not jewish” as though i had been hiding the fact that i wasnt jewish. This was the same guy who would religiously text me good morning every morning and sweet dreams every night. He was my world, and vice verse. I was counting down the hours of his return, much to my surprise, i was actually counting down the hours to a very devastating period of my life.

  • LA

    My “ex” boyfriend did/said practically the same thing to me as Melissa. He returned claiming the connections he made with the guys/girls on his birthright trip were unlike any he’d ever made in his life. He “loved” me before he left, but came unable to tell me loved me anymore, and instead told me I’d never understand him because I wasn’t Jewish. I know what brainwashed is. –That place certainly did it. The problem is, if a person who does not yet know who he is goes on one of these, he’ll come back questioning EVERYTHING in his life. Good luck to all you who’s significant others go on a birthright trip. Kiss them goodbye!
    Out of respect, the “leaders” should give participants forewarning about the bus fyi “love incubator” and the constant “joking” about making jewish babies. FBR!

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