I was compelled to write this as a result of Glenn Shrum’s mischaracterization of Taglit-Birthright in his article on the free trip to Israel offered to Jewish youth (“Taglit-Birthright Israel gaining popularity” 02/23/2012). The article makes the assertion that the trip is apolitical and that it avoids certain areas in the country — the allegedly dangerous ones that make neurotic Jewish mothers queasy — for mere practical reasons. As a former participant of the trip and someone who was raised Jewish in a decidedly pro-Israel household, I do not believe this is true. The program oversimplifies a complex and sensitive issue that requires various perspectives and in-depth thought.
The summer after my freshman year, I embarked on a 10-day Birthright excursion through the Lubavitch House at Penn. What I believe now — especially upon reflection of my experience — is that the trip is inherently political, very ideological and often manipulates impressionable young minds searching for a religious identity. It churns out — in machine-like fashion — hordes of Zionists without them even realizing it. My biggest concern about all of this, as someone who strongly values difference of opinion and balance of information, is that many participants return from the trip believing that they now fully understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If anything, I came back confused.
One would only need to look at the trip’s goal, which in the words of its own founders (one of whom is Wharton alumnus and Penn Hillel benefactor Michael Steinhardt), is to present Israel in the best way possible, saturate participants with information (a carefully selected curriculum, in fact) and create an emotional experience that transcends the physicality of it. The situation in Israel is much more complex than what one takes away from a 10-day experience, but the trip is designed to make everything seem cut and dry.
My birthright trip schedule, like that of all others I presume, was jam-packed with visits to the country’s “most important sites.” As someone who loves to travel, taking in such sights was truly incredible. Thousands of years of world history were sitting in front of me to soak in. However, the sites themselves, and the way they are presented, all slanted toward the Zionist perspective that Birthright holds dear. But one need not be a right-wing Zionist to support Israel and want to work toward a peaceful future. Unfortunately, Birthright’s efforts subvert this diversity of opinion.
I would argue that one of the most important sites to view in Israel today — for Jews and non-Jews alike — is the giant metal barrier separating the Israeli territories from Palestinian settlements. Perhaps the curriculum could include what it really looks like to go through one of these military “checkpoints.” It should definitely introduce us to Palestinians, Arabs and other religious and ethnic minorities — in a positive light.
Although I thought I was neutral as a student and traveler, the Birthright experience was so overwhelming that I actually broke down in tears on multiple occasions — once at the Western Wall, another time at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv and a third time at the Mount Herzl Cemetery. These moments, which at the time seemed benevolent and inspirational, now appear in a different light.
Reflecting on these now, it becomes clear that such intense emotion becomes associated with sensationalized views of Israel’s triumphs. We cannot be rational thinkers when subsumed by such emotions. We come to see every move carried out by the Israeli government and its military as justified. More troubling is the potential demonization of Palestinians, an undercurrent throughout my experience as well. We did not meet one Palestinian in the entire 10 days, nor were we invited to voice our own (potentially dissident) perspectives.
I don’t disagree at all with the idea of youth exploring and examining their religious roots through travel and introspection. We could use more of that, actually. But it’s very problematic when such a blatant propaganda tool begins to be called by some other name — a fact-finding mission, a religious reawakening.
I came back from my trip believing, as one of Shrum’s interviewees Ryan Daniels states, that “Israel is not at all what you see in the news.” That might be true, but perhaps more true is that Israel is not at all what you see on Birthright.
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