text by Gavriel Horan
When I first met the Taglit-Birthright Israel participants in Newark airport, it was a group of 40 strangers. Nobody knew that they would each leave ten days later with 40 new brothers and sisters. In such a short time, they became a family. In truth, Taglit-Birthright Israel taught everyone that the Jewish people have always been a family – just an estranged family that’s been living apart for 2000 years. We came home together for the ultimate family reunion.
The experience of walking our land, crying in our holy places, and dancing together in our ancient ruins brought the group together in a way nothing else could. Leading a trip with OU Israel Free Spirit, one of the most popular trip programs, for the first time, I myself was shocked at how powerful the experience was. It’s hard to imagine that a trip anywhere else in the world would have had a remotely similar affect.
Our Soldiers, Our Heroes
Perhaps more impactful than anything, however, was the experience of meeting the Israeli soldiers. Eight young men and women – the same age as the trip participants – joined our trip for five days. For the duration of that time, they became part of our “family.” Although they boarded our bus in full IDF uniforms, once they had changed into their civilian clothes, they looked no different than anyone else. The Birthright participants were surprised to discover that despite their different cultures they had so much in common. However, they also learned that the Israelis had something that most Americans have never known.
As Americans we were always taught to work towards our future – to go to college so that we could become something, so that we could raise a family, so that we could find comfort and success – but we had never learned the meaning of giving up our lives for someone else. Yet, each of them were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect this homeland and this people that we had only just discovered.
When we visited the military cemetery on Har Hertzl, the soldiers each pointed out the graves of people they had known – people who had died protecting them and their loved ones. At the grave of an 18 year old girl, someone turned to me and said, “Rabbi, it’s not fair. Eighteen! She was too young to die. It’s just not fair.”
“No,” I replied. “What’s not fair is that at 18, we have nothing worth dying for!”
Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of blessed memory, often said that if you have nothing worth dying for, you’re not really living. For the first time, I really understood what he meant.
But the Americans weren’t the only ones who got something from this cultural exchange. The Israeli soldiers were also visibly moved and inspired to watch us experience their land for the first time. Upon entering the city of Jerusalem, everyone rushed to the window of the bus to see the timeless skyline of the Temple Mount and Old City for the very first time. Many cried tears of joy at seeing this site that their ancestors had longed to return to for thousands of years – even though they didn’t quite know why it was so special. Everyone on the bus made sure to take pictures of the view – all but one, that is. One of the Israeli soldiers stood behind and took a picture of us taking pictures. “I’ve seen Jerusalem hundreds of times,” she later explained, “but I never knew how special it was until I saw the excitement on your faces. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. If I ever forget how lucky I am to live in Israel, all I need to do is look at that picture and remember why I shouldn’t take it for granted.”
Bringing Israel Home: A Four Way Tie!
Bring Israel Home was created by Aish NY specifically for the Israel Free Spirit, to help keep the Birthright spirit alive by encouraging participants to stay connected to Israel, their heritage, Judaism and each other. Bring Israel Home engages Israel Free Spirit Birthright buses to compete against each other in challenges related to Israel and Judaism. At the end of the four week competition, the winning team wins a reunion weekend in New York with their Israeli soldiers. The bond between the students and soldiers was so strong, that most are willing to do anything for a chance to repay the Israelis for having shared their world with them.
Seven groups competed in Bring Israel Home. The level of interaction between the members of the groups was extraordinary and the teams worked together to motivate participation. By the end of the first week, five out of seven buses had completed 100% of their challenges!
The tension was in the air during the second week as all eyes looked to see who might fall behind – but lo and behold, four out of the five leading groups continued to achieve 100% participation! This continued throughout week three as well. As the competition came to an end last week, the same four buses maintained a perfect score! A four-way tie was never anticipated. Bring Israel Home had to find a tie breaker that would fairly determine the winner.
That’s where you come in! As a final tie breaker, each of the four winning groups was asked to create a short video comprised of the challenge submissions that they completed during the course of the competition. The video was to include at least one photo, clip, or quote from everyone in the group. We invite you to watch all the videos below and cast your vote for the video that you feel best expresses the value Bring Israel Home provided the group, by allowing them to hold onto their Israel experience and strengthen their communal bond.
The group with the winning video will get to bring their Israeli soldiers back home to New York for an unforgettable reunion.
Each group has become a family – and they want to share that love and connection with you. Against all expectations, the bond that they formed in Israel has continued to grow and strengthen back at home. Thank you for helping us to bring Israel home.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
Bring Israel Home is a part of the Israel Free Spirit, Taglit-Birthright Israel, follow up initiative developed by Aish NY. Vote for the video you feel best demonstrates how the group kept their Israel experience alive.
Your vote will determine which team wins the chance of a lifetime to bring the soldiers from their Israel trip to NY for a reunion.
Haven't been on Taglit-Birthright Israel? Registration for this summer is now open. Click here to apply.
Video 1: Group 428
Video 2: Group 471
Video 3: Group 472
Video 4: Group 500
Cast Your Vote
(Voting closes Friday, March 8 5:30 p.m. EST.
Final voting tally will be confirmed by Aish New York.)
(74) meirah, April 7, 2013 3:51 PM
we won
WOOHOO!!!! WE WON!!! Congratz bus 428 we won!!!
(73) Shaina, March 21, 2013 9:22 PM
Congratulations Bus 428!
Congratulations bus 428! Good job:) Have a fun reunion! We are jealous!
(72) Anonymous, March 14, 2013 12:57 AM
Help Bring the soldiers home and donate to my bus so we can have them here.
fundraise.walk2israel.org/fundraise?fcid=239161
(71) SoleySapphire, March 9, 2013 11:18 AM
428 rocks.......
I love video #1. 428 love the lyrics of the song love the way it was put together. Very heart touching & is my favorite....NO DOUBT group 428 rocks :)
(70) Anonymous, March 9, 2013 5:25 AM
Asking me to decide which of the 4 is the best is like asking me which of my fingers is the best.
On each hand I have 4 fingers and a thumb. How would I choose? Each finger is responsible for certain things, individually and as a group.
It is better to widen the meaning of Bring Israel Home so that all 4 are perceived as one by themselves and by each other. One raindrop will not make a difference, but many raindrops together can stop a drought, can water a crop, can provide life.
So, while I enjoyed each film, I refuse to vote.
(69) Anonymous, March 8, 2013 7:36 PM
Vote 4 video 2 bus 471
Thanks Sam 4 all that u do Looks like u had a great group
(68) Anonymous, March 8, 2013 6:21 PM
428! 428! 428! 428! 428!
This past winter break I went on the most amazing Birthright trip to Israel. I showed up at Newark airport to see a group of 40 strangers and i came back into JFK with a family. Part of our family had to be left behind in Israel- our Israeli soldiers. Over the course of our ten day trip 8 soldiers joined our family and helped us to experience the great country of Israel. My group is in a competition right now, against 3 other groups, and the winner gets to fly their Israeli soldiers to NY for a reunion! The only way to win is by getting the most votes on our video! So pleasee, vote for group 1- bus 428. We would all really appreciate it. Voting ends today at 5:30pm (march 8, 2013) PLEASE HELP US OUT!!
it just takes 5 seconds
(67) Anonymous, March 8, 2013 7:21 AM
BUS 471
They did a great job on their video. Hats off to them! You can tell this really means a lot to them.
(66) Meirah Siegel, March 8, 2013 4:39 AM
428!!!
AWESOME VIDEO 428!!!!
aunt hikki, March 8, 2013 8:22 PM
come one428
come one bus 428 ! great video deserves to be recognized .. bus 428 is great
(65) Daniel, March 8, 2013 3:22 AM
Shwarama Warriors
428 we can win this and bring our soldiers to America, GO SHWARAMA WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!!
(64) hikki, March 7, 2013 6:48 PM
428
mariah you did a great job. hope the world votes 428 to allow your soldier friends to visit.
(63) Anonymous, March 7, 2013 5:08 AM
OU 500
amazing video! very touching! hope you guys win! you deserve it!
(62) Deborah Schagen, March 7, 2013 3:37 AM
I teared up @ "we belong together" on 3rd video. Beautiful!!
Anonymous, March 8, 2013 6:58 AM
We do belong together
Hi I'm an Israeli soldier, please tell any one you know to vote for us, we are like a family now and this our only shot to reunite, for us soldiers it is very hard to go abroad and this competition can help us!
(61) zoe, March 6, 2013 11:25 PM
Please vote 472!! Let us reunite with our family!
(60) Shira, March 6, 2013 10:30 PM
Great!
Go video four!!!!!!!!! It was fantastic!!!!
(59) Anonymous, March 6, 2013 9:34 PM
video 500 is good but the entire thing was made with iMovie honestly i have no idea how video 428 was made but the effects are cool
(58) D, March 6, 2013 9:28 PM
Annoyed
Its annoying that this video is a popularity contest and not at all contingent on the quality of the video. These kids worked hard and those who put it the most effort shouldn't have their content be arbitrary. Poorly planned and inconsiderate.
(57) chris, March 6, 2013 7:51 PM
472!!!
They're all good. But your video has such feeling and builds to an emotional end. LOVED IT!
(56) phillip, March 6, 2013 7:39 PM
OU 500's video is AMAZING!!!!
OU 500!!!! wow great video!!!
(55) rachel benson, March 6, 2013 6:59 PM
group 4 video affects were awesome! good job to them and i hope they win
(54) Anonymous, March 6, 2013 4:48 PM
bus 428
HELP BUS 428 WIN THIS COMPETITION. HELP REUNITE THIS GROUP WITH THEIR FAMILY WHO IS BACK IN ISRAEL. REUNITE THIS AMAZING FAMILY.
(53) Anonymous, March 6, 2013 4:32 PM
500! they had videos with their soldiers saying how much they miss them
(52) Anonymous, March 6, 2013 3:55 PM
Very nice
(51) Anonymous, March 6, 2013 8:47 AM
great job 428
hope to see our friends soon
(50) Anonymous, March 6, 2013 8:46 AM
428
bringing the guys to NY. we would love to meet them
(49) hikki, March 6, 2013 6:41 AM
vote 428
vote 428 that video is great
(48) Anonymous, March 6, 2013 6:21 AM
Awesome!
Bus 428 video is incredible! If this competition is based on video quality, they definitely deserve to win. It was such a joy to watch!
zhav silver, March 6, 2013 9:22 PM
keep it going 428
428 is great. i want to come to NYC and reunite with 428
(47) Luzanny, March 6, 2013 2:18 AM
Very creative :)
(46) marian, March 5, 2013 10:30 PM
I agree, 472!!
Although they all deserve to win, I say the 472 video just has a special feeling and extra heart somehow. Good luck!
(45) jacinto, March 5, 2013 9:09 PM
Extra vote!!!!!!
(44) Anonymous, March 5, 2013 9:01 PM
LOVE Birthright and our Israeli soldiers!
(43) Anonymous, March 5, 2013 8:17 PM
there's something about 472
I have to put in an extra vote for 472. If you watch all 4 videos all the way through, 472 feels the strongest to me.
(42) Anonymous, March 5, 2013 7:06 PM
Great
(41) Anonymous, March 5, 2013 6:16 PM
Great video
Done very nicely. It was emotional and put together well.
(40) jacinto, March 5, 2013 5:55 PM
You are awesome! good luck!
(39) Yelinek, March 5, 2013 5:49 PM
They should win!
(38) Anonymous, March 5, 2013 4:11 PM
It was incredible!
(37) Danielle Malefsky, March 5, 2013 3:23 PM
Fabulous.
(36) Donna, March 5, 2013 11:22 AM
This video brought tears to my eyes.
All the videos were great but this one is the one that made me get emotional. I am glad this program exsists.
Anonymous, March 6, 2013 12:53 AM
Hi, I was wondering which video you were referring to :) thanks for your comment and support!
(35) Gabriel, March 4, 2013 10:00 PM
Creative
Not one group lacked creativity, you should all win for that! Great music too. What's the name of that One Love remix, with Hebrew rap? It's awesome
(34) Yelinek, March 4, 2013 5:42 PM
Beautiful!
(33) yelinek, March 4, 2013 5:22 PM
They are awesome!
(32) Anonymous, March 4, 2013 4:55 PM
Amazing
(31) dvir, March 4, 2013 4:13 PM
1
(30) Chen markus, March 4, 2013 2:04 PM
Very nice girl, always helping every body. With high values and strong feelings for our nation. Smart and funny, all of us like her very much
(29) rotem, March 4, 2013 6:56 AM
Wow
(28) Anonymous, March 4, 2013 5:37 AM
This seems like a great cause!
(27) Anonymous, March 4, 2013 3:09 AM
Bus 472
Although all of the videos are great I love the connection between bus 472. All of you singing together at the end shows your amazing bond, hope you guys win!!
Amy from bus 472, March 5, 2013 8:13 PM
thanks for the support! <3
Hey, thanks!! WeI really hope the profound love and connection our group shared came through in the video. It's hard to express in words but the feeling of family that happened to our group was just MAGIC. Group hugs EVERY DAY. Magic.
(26) Shaina, March 4, 2013 2:49 AM
I LOVE ISRAEL AND MY ISRAELI FAMILY
I LOVE these videos! So much love, hard work and dedication! I wish we all could win this and bring our Israeli families home! Great teamwork all!! LOVE MY FELLOW BUS 472!! Ani ohevet atah!!!!
(25) Kim, March 4, 2013 2:08 AM
Yay!
(24) denise, March 4, 2013 12:02 AM
OU 500 amazing job. It just bought tears to my eyes that you continue to be inspired. Lets bring the soldiers to NY
(23) FrizzyLanz, March 3, 2013 11:59 PM
Go 500!
Go 500!
(22) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 11:43 PM
In so proud of bus 471!!
(21) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 11:14 PM
Bring the troops home for Bus 428
hikki, March 6, 2013 8:45 AM
428
428 video is great. welcome home our guys
(20) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 11:09 PM
Ou 500!
(19) Sandrine, March 3, 2013 8:45 PM
472
Yahoo!!! Take the plane for Israël!
(18) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 8:01 PM
Bus 472
Although all of the videos are amazing, I see how bus 472 had a strong connection. I love how all of you were singing together toward the end of your video. Hope you win!
(17) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 8:00 PM
Great job:)
(16) Yvonne, March 3, 2013 7:55 PM
Great job OU500
They are all good and deserving, but 500 produced the one that best gave the feeling of connection for me. Thank you for this program. It's wonderful!
(15) Debbie, March 3, 2013 7:43 PM
Great video
Yay for all involved
(14) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 7:25 PM
Group 428!!!!!
428!!!!!!!!!!!! <333333333
(13) elizabeth green, March 3, 2013 6:55 PM
go ou500
we want to see our soldiers so go 500
(12) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 6:36 PM
OU 500! they did a great job with that video!
(11) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 6:08 PM
BUS 471 FOR THE WIN.
(10) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 5:57 PM
ou-500
ou-500 this win belongs to you! Love the video!
(9) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 4:13 PM
Bring all their soldiers in!
Who could choose just one group?! Bring all their soldiers in - what a great way to keep the connection to Israel strong for all of them! I'm just an AISH reader with no connection to any of these groups, but they are all so deserving!
(8) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 4:11 PM
Bring them all back!
How could one choose?! Bring all their soldiers back! Keep the connection to Israel strong! All 4 groups should win!! I'm just a regular Aish reader with no connection to any of the groups!
(7) vitaliy, March 3, 2013 4:02 PM
My favorite group out of all videos
(6) Mike shalamov, March 3, 2013 3:10 PM
428 bring our soldiers home
(5) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 2:59 PM
This video was amaming and made by a great group of people. They deserve a win!
(4) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 2:43 PM
Amazing.. Hope you guys can see each other again!
(3) Elizabet Abraham, March 3, 2013 2:26 PM
I love us!
It's our turn to bring our Israeli family Home. Everyday we talk,encourage and express how much we love and miss eachother. Our bond is one that can't be broken and we hope all of you help unite us! Vote 472 please :)!!!
Shaina Guttman, March 4, 2013 2:50 AM
Love you Elisabeth and all of BUS 472
Sing it girl!! LOVE US!!!
(2) yuval, March 3, 2013 2:04 PM
awesome!!
hope you win guys!
(1) Anonymous, March 3, 2013 1:51 PM
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