The experience that I was privileged to have this summer was one that was amazing, powerful, and unforgettable. It was a summer of a lifetime. And it’s something that many other groups shared as well. This summer was not exclusive to one group – it was universal. Putting a title on which program was which diminishes the sense of achdut that the Jewish people felt and actualized this summer.
The summer program ended a little over two months ago. We returned to our normal routine. When asked about the summer we use words like “amazing,” “powerful,” “unforgettable,” but in reality we took the memories from the summer and kept them at just that, as memories. We’ve moved on. But have we? School has begun and we moved the “Israel problem” to the back burner. Although I have done so in the past, I cannot let this summer simply become a memory. Our experiences have deeply affected all of us in a very positive way.
I would like to leave you with one last thought. Does Israel stop functioning when we are not there? Does Israel only deserve our support and understanding when we are present? In reality, Israel is always in conflict and always needs our support. Things happen even when we are not around. We just had the 13th anniversary of 9/11. We mourned the loss of over 3,000 souls who were lost in the biggest terrorist attack on the United States. Can we forget this incident? Is it over? In America we were united in 2001, in Israel we were united this summer. I see no reason why we should only be united over a tragedy. I think that we as a people deserve to come together by simcha as well. Sukkot has just ended, the only holiday in the Torah on which we are told to be “ach sameach” to be happy! Let us take the message of Sukkot. Let us take the message of the summer. Let us resolve to be a united people, regardless of the situation.
All Photos by Elana Pogal