Home > FJN News & Features > Middle East > Israel is Unreal

 

Israel is Unreal

Click here to recommend
this article to a friend
By Charles P. Stone

Ambulance sirens, body parts being placed in bags, homes, businesses, and lives destroyed by bombs, these are the grizzly images that we, American Jews, are fed on a daily basis. Stories of violence and bloodshed continue to be transmitted via satellite by the media to the United States, and the rest of the world. These images are, supposedly, accurately depicting life in Israel.

Ambulance sirens, body parts being placed in bags, homes, businesses, and lives destroyed by bombs, these are the grizzly images that we, American Jews, are fed on a daily basis. Stories of violence and bloodshed continue to be transmitted via satellite by the media to the United States, and the rest of the world. These images are, supposedly, accurately depicting life in Israel.
Please support our advertisers

Having just returned from the State of Israel on my first visit in 54 years, I can candidly and happily, state that the previous descriptions could not be further from the truth. Thirty years ago my parents made their only journey to Israel and, upon their return, their blissful facial expressions stuck in my mind. After that I knew then that, hopefully, I would someday have the chance to experience the same feeling.

Before embarking on my journey, family members and friends expressed their deep concern for my safety. They also seriously questioned my sanity for what they perceived was an unnecessary foray into harm's way.

From the moment I stepped off ELAL Flight #41 from JFK Airport in New York to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, the CNN images were completely erased. Who knew that Israel was a country of beautiful beaches, tropical breezes, bustling restaurants, dance clubs that were crowded until the next morning by the most wonderful people I have ever had the privilege to meet?

My Israel experience was enlightening because of my traveling partner. She and her family are Lebanese natives, having been born and raised in Beirut, the "Jewel of the Middle East." Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond their control, most Lebanese Jews were forced to leave their homeland, including her family. Many, with the assistance of Israel, were able to relocate and settle in various communities. She and  some of her family members came to reside in Haifa, a community known as the City of Co-Existence. There, on a mountain slope facing the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean, both Jews and Arabs have lived for decades in peace and harmony.

My special Israel connection enabled me to see the country both as a visitor and an insider. The pride with which Israelis share their country with visitors is truly something to be envied.

During my ten-day journey, I saw the real Israel, not the Israel created by the news media. I traveled through the north, south, east, and west. Wherever I went, I never experienced a sense of fear or apprehension. Rather, I felt at home, both literally and figuratively.

From dinners in Herzliya, to the Simchat Torah celebration at shul, where I was given the honor of carrying the Sefer Torah, the Israel portrayed by CNN never emerged.

Rich in the religious history of Jerusalem and the winding snake path to the zenith of Massada; Israel is beauty-bound. From the Golan Heights and the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Israel is truly a study in contrasts. As I drove along the highway, I was fascinated when I saw small communities of Bedouin Arab nomads who, as they have for centuries, live in tents and ride camels or donkeys across the stark desert landscape. In contrast, merely a mile away, an oasis rose from seemingly nowhere. There, a kibbutz had been erected by Jews with a grove of hundreds of date trees. They were fed by man made intricate irrigation systems. I saw beautiful homes, schools, playgrounds, and all of the other modern conveniences we have here in the States.

My tour of Jerusalem was especially enlightening. With the aid of our Israeli guide, Meshna, I saw that Jews, Arabs, Christians, and Armenians live within this ancient holy city in relative harmony. The reactions of my varied companions, on this twelve-hour jaunt into history, were almost as interesting as viewing the antiquities themselves. There was John from Ireland, Pablo from Puerto Rico, three girls from Brazil who fondly came to be known as the "paparazzi" due to their endless picture taking, and Dave and Larry from St. Louis, Missouri, all of whom were non-Jews. They were in Israel training in high-tech careers. Prior to the excursion each of them was seriously apprehensive about leaving their respective hotel rooms in Tel Aviv due to the constant flow of the media propaganda.

As the day progressed from the intensity of the Holocaust Museum to the prayers at the Western Wall, each began to transform their opinions of what Israel was about. By the end of the tour, John from Ireland was playing impromptu songs on his new guitar purchased in the Arab section of Jerusalem. He aptly sang of how he would return to Israel and travel throughout the country.

After schlepping all over the country, and staying up to all hours of the evening, we decided to rest in Eilat. From the balcony of our 11th floor suite at the Hilton Queen of Sheba Hotel, I could see the flag of Jordan just 2000 yards to my left, and the mountains of Egypt directly in front of me.

Who knew Eilat was a bustling shore community, complete with Atlantic City style hotels, IMAX theater, numerous restaurants, a shopping mall and water that's so blue and clear? I was truly amazed.

Unfortunately, like most American Jews who had not had the courage or conviction to turn off the images fed to us, I had no idea what Israel was really about. I often wondered why so many people, after visiting Israel would want to return on a yearly basis, despite the situation. Now I understand that all of us just want to go home.

After experiencing the real Israel, I know I will return, but next time with my two daughters, so that they too can see that Israel is truly unreal.


Posted by FJN Admin on 01/10 at 04:51 PM • Hits: 863



Reader Comments

Next entry: Get Your Kids Straight Before You Send Them Abroad
Previous entry: Stupidity is Hereditary

<< Back to main