Israel has been in existence as an independent nation-state for over sixty years, and that has been a dream of the Jewish people for generations. The connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel is multifaceted, with bonds including religion, historical connection, and source of national inspiration and identity. Yet, in the 21st century, young Jews in the Diaspora, who have never known a world without the State of Israel, are not educated about the history or current events surrounding the Jewish State, and often do not feel a personal connection to the land that their ancestors identified with so strongly.
As young North American Jews have grown so used to Israel’s existence, they have lost the passion for Israel that marked so many generations of Diaspora Jewry. They do not identify with Israel, sometimes viewing it as a liability, something to defend or explain, in large part thanks to the efforts of the movement to delegitimize Israel. This movement is one that calls into question connection of the Jews to Israel and even challenges the right of Israel to exist as an independent Jewish country. It is a global movement, one that touches American college campuses, the United Nations, and European entities, in addition to permeating much of the Arab world. It has turned the relationship that Diaspora Jews have with Israel on its head, thrusting many Jews who may have not previously thought about Israel in much detail into the arena of the Israel debate.
To question Israel’s legitimacy is to question the existence of the only functioning democracy in the Middle East, a country that values diversity, pluralism, and free speech. It is to challenge a champion of human rights, an innovator in hi-tech and environmentalism, and a proponent of values that many Americans share. Yet, in spite of all that Israel brings to the world, and specifically the pride that it should instill in the Jewish community, the movement to delegitimize Israel continues to make inroads. According to MP Gidi Grinstein, the delegitimization campaign thrives on the gaps between the myth of Israel and its reality. This is accurate, as many Israel detractors are successful in spreading their message simply because there is no one from the pro-Israel community who stands up and challenges the validity of their accusations.
The reason that so few Jews feel comfortable standing up and advocating for Israel is simply a lack of knowledge. Many Jews, even those who have received Jewish educations, are not well versed in the history of Zionism, the complexity of the State of Israel, or the intricacies of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Because they do not receive ample Israel education, and in some cases do not feel a personal connection with Israel, it is clear why the gap between Diaspora Jews and Israelis exists. Luckily, organizations such as Birthright Israel and MASA Israel Journey, serve to combat this gap.
To date, Birthright Israel has sent over 250,000 young Jews to Israel on free ten-day trips to Israel. These trips serve as a first taste of Israel to participants, allowing them to experience a whirlwind tour of Israel that showcases all of the best that Israel has to offer, from food to natural beauty to religious and historical significance. The hope, and oftentimes the case, is that participants are not satisfied with this first taste of Israel, but rather are inspired to return, to learn more, and to get involved with the Jewish community.
For many Birthright alumni looking for a more in-depth Israel experience, MASA Israel Journey provides them with such opportunities. MASA, which to date has over 60,000 alumni, provides young Jews with long-term Israel experiences, enabling Jews from the Diaspora to have the experience of living in Israel and becoming a part of the Jewish State.
Birthright and MASA alumni take away many tangible and intangible things from their trips to Israel. They come back to America with souvenirs, pictures, and memories of amazing times with friends, family, and the greater Jewish community. They also come away with something else: a personal connection with the State of Israel and the Israeli people that cannot be denied. Every participant on an Israel program has the opportunity to meet with Israelis and to interact with them on a personal level, talking, asking questions, and sharing stories. This is an amazing thing, as it provides a human face to the abstract stories about Israel that one hears. When alumni come back to the United States and are faced with accusations against Israel and the Israeli people, they are often more inclined to respond and challenge detractors and delegitimizers, because they have been there. These program alumni have been on the ground, living in Israel, experiencing the culture and diversity of Israel firsthand. Having had these experiences, program alumni are able to become active participants in the conversation about Israel, sharing their stories and correcting misinformation.
It is undeniable that many Israel program alumni are not engaged properly after they return from their Israel trips. This is something that is a problem of the Jewish community and various Jewish organizations, and it is a challenge that must be faced and dealt with. Yet, the power that comes with having had that personal experience is something that remains with an individual whether or not they are outwardly involved with the pro-Israel community, or even with the Jewish community in general. To have seen Israel for oneself, to have met Israelis, to have walked the streets and experienced the unique energy enables an individual to be able to stand up to an anti-Israel detractor and say that they know firsthand how inaccurate and uninformed their accusations are. It allows them to connect with Israel and to share this connection with others, leading to increased awareness of the truth about Israel.
ViZions of Zionism 
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