Picture 45 overenthusiastic American twenty-something year olds intertwined with 70 more than overenthusiastic Israeli twenty something year olds in a dining hall banging on tables, clinking their glasses with spoons, climbing on seats and chanting at the top of their lungs. To some people this might sound like a huge balagan (chaos), but to some this scene might be easily recognizable just by my description. Yes, this is a description of previous campers chanting the birkat hamazon, the prayer after a meal. It’s arguably an inappropriate way to say a prayer… but an accurate description of the tradition at many camps and a tradition that hits close to home for thousands and thousands of Jewish Americans who attended summer camp or youth group conventions. Apparently it is a tradition familiar to many Israelis who travel to the US to work at sleep away camps for the summer. I cannot begin to explain to anyone what a special treat it was to meet Israelis who have this special secret incite into the lives of campers from all over the country: to have experienced the euphoria and elation created within, and only within, camp gates.
Although I was there just a few months ago, I forgot about the magic of camp until this past Friday night when Otzma spent Shabbat with 70 or so Israelis who spent last summer working at American sleep away camps, and plan to return this year. This Shabbat had something magical about it- the memories and the energy of camp. The silly competitions at meals, song circles around a guitar, and making new friends. The fun, however, came in tandem with heavy conversations regarding topics such as life decisions, Jewish identity, and -of course- politics.
On the one hand some such topics showed me that despite so many obvious differences and a great distance between us, we (Israelis and Americans) are just alike. On the other hand many responses and comments made me feel completely estranged and far away from Israelis seemingly just like me. To the point that it made me doubt what I am doing and why I am spending a year here at all. Some of these comments were made out of heated moments or ignorance, but even acknowledging that fact I couldn’t help feeling pushed away.
Multiple times per day I think about what I will do when the program ends in June. Will I return to the states? Am I ready to go back to school? What type of job should I look for if not school? (Suggestions are welcome here.) Frequently I feel guilty thinking about returning to America. Why did I have the luxury (as I see it) of being born in America? Do I have a duty to move to Israel? Will I be more fulfilled or happy if I stay here? What will my contribution be on either continent? I can’t tell if spending time with my Israeli peers made it seem like a more viable option, or pushed me to let my return flight home in June stay as it stands.
No comments:
Post a Comment