Israel...Should I Go on Birthright?
The smart, logical, obvious answer is āyes, you should go to Israel!ā
After all, itās a free 7-10 day trip for Jews. Why wouldnāt I go? This is been a question Iāve asked myself since I was 18 years old. This is a chance to experience Yiddishkeit like no other, meet new people, take in history and more. So why am I still debating? Iāve gotten over my fear of planes, meeting new people would be hard (hello crippling social anxiety) but Iām willing to step out side the box. After all, isnāt that the way to overcome the anxiety?
I received an email notifying me that trips are open again, and here go the same questions. This time, I think I have some answers. Theyāre sooooooo ridiculous, but I just canāt help it.
1. Am I going to be the only fat girl? What about going into the Dead Sea?
2. Everyone I know has already been on Birthright. How do I start talking to people? Does it start on the plane?
3. I donāt fit the white Ashkenazi stereotype of Jews, will they question me?
4. What the hell do I do on a plane for 12 hours? Get drunk? Read? Talk to the other Birthright participants?
Theses are the silliest of billiest questions, but these questions have hindered my decision on applying.
Well, today, Iām putting down my deposit. After the month I had, I think I need a damn break. These questions will just have to be dealt with when it happens.