Rebirthing Birthright

Birthright is no doubt the number one factor that most inspires Jewish identity and connection to Israel in young American Jews. But into its second decade, there are still ways to make the Israel experience even more meaningful.

By SHMULEY BOTEACH
Birthright 311 (photo credit: Mendy Boteach)
Birthright 311
(photo credit: Mendy Boteach)
Birthright Israel is now 11 years old and has brought some 300,000 young Jews to Israel. I recently led another Birthright trip for Mayanot - one of its best and most professional providers - and learned a great deal about how this spectacular program could be made even better.
RELATED:Birthright... Armenia?
I was witness to Birthright's conception. It’s co-founder, Michael Steinhardt, shared the scope of his idea with me as he traveled with Charles Bronfman around the United States raising large sums to get it off the ground. It’s one thing for a rich man to give money; It’s an entirely different level of commitment when a rich man traverses from city to city soliciting friends and acquaintances. It solidified in my mind that first, Michael was a great man, and that second, Birthright is something to which I should devote myself.
So together with my wife, I traveled to Israel for our second Birthright jamboree. And boy was it a celebration. Ten days of no sleep and constant discussion, laughter and tears. It was  inspiring to watch young Jews connect to their land and their people, and painful to hear the stories of participants that had lost parents, or seen their families torn asunder by divorce. But for the very first time for many, they found comfort in the fact that they were connected to something greater than themselves and part of an eternal people. In life we all search for an identity, a place to belong and one which we can call home. No Jewish organization on earth provides this in the way that Birthright does.
Still, it can be made better. Here are my suggestions for doing so:
1.     This one is addressed to the counselors: On day one of the trip, when all the rules are explained to the participants, don’t treat them like children. These are young adults. Threatening them to be dumped from their trip if they get blotto presupposes that their hearts can’t be touched. This is the speech that should be given. “Welcome to Israel. You are home. We are thrilled to welcome you back to the Jewish family. Please understand that unlike the Bahamas, Israel is surrounded by those who believe Jewish people should have no home. It is protected by a nation of humble men and women who spend the latter part of their teenage years in service to their country and who sometimes hear the tragic news that their loved ones will not make it home after a war. It's important for you to understand that you’re in a sacred place. Please allow your conduct at all times to reflect the dignity of this magical country where democracy was carved out in the harshest of neighborhoods and the cruelest of conditions. The Israelis you see around you do not earn the same amount of money as Americans. Even so, they are the contributors of one third of the entire budget that allows you to come to Israel as a free gift. Show them your appreciation by drinking in moderation, partying amid a sense of purpose, and at all times remembering that it is not through booze that your thirst will be quenched, but only in drinking in all that Israel is. If you stay up so late at bars that you can barely function the next day, you are showing the Israeli people that you have no desire to understand their story and their history, something which - as a Jew - you are a part of. We know you understand and we’re sure you’ll cooperate. With all that said, get ready for a life-changing experience.”
2.     Birthright calls for substance, and I suggest a stronger values-based component. A young woman sitting next to me on the plane got all excited about our conversation until she discovered that she was with a different Birthright provider. She had shunned the group I was with - despite the fact that it was comprised entirely of non-observant Jews - because she had read that the provider was orthodox. Here, a young woman with a fear of religion was denied the pleasure of my engaging company (I urge you to display some dignity and refrain from laughing) because she was afraid that religious doctrine might be shoved down her gullet. Now that's not to say that Birthright should be in the business of peddling religion - indeed, its goal is and should remain focused on the connection to Israel and Jewish identity. But that should not negate any other substance. The impact I was able to make on my group stemmed from engaging them in values-based discussion that related to everything they saw. You’re at Yad Vashem. Six million Jews dead, murdered. Question, anyone here believe in vengeance? Hands go up. OK, what about forgiveness? Can we forgive something this gruesome? Don't Jesus' teachings urge people to love their enemies? Is that something we Jews ought to embrace? What is the meaning of real Jewish values? To be sure, the many speeches I gave were delivered amid healthy doses of humor (if you think you can manage  to laugh with me rather than at me, feel free to seek them out on YouTube). It was my intention to make the Birthright experience extend further than Jewish history and geography to include Jewish values and wisdom.
3.     Expect something in return: I know that the founders of Birthright - Michael included - correctly insist that this is a gift and that a gift should come with no strings attached. But nevertheless, a gift usually inspires feelings of reciprocity. I would require all Birthright participants to give back one third of what they received, i.e. three days, to devote to doing volunteer work back home in the Jewish communal charity of their choice. They could vacuum the floors of their Synagogue, serve as counselors in a camp, or work in a local hospital. This would create a mini Jewish peace-corps, for just three days, inspired by Birthright.
4.     Continuity, continuity, continuity: The sudden absence or void that inevitably comes after the participants have returned to their respective homes is perhaps the biggest problem that Birthright faces. The trip is so inspirational, so moving, so transformative, that it inspires many to ask - as John did on my trip - "How do I keep this feeling once I return." To which I responded, "You can’t. Emotions by their very nature are ephemeral. They don’t last. What does last are the actions inspired by emotions that in turn continue the cycle by further inspiring deeper feelings. In other words, when you get home you need to do something about your feelings. Your hands need to mold your heart." Hence, my suggestion. Birthright must immediately hire the 30 most charismatic Jewish personalities it can find, and match them with the 30 best administrators it can find for 30 cities and towns across America. With a limited budget to begin with, each duo canprovide services to their communities including: a monthly educational event with as many influential speakers as they can attract; a bi-monthly Shabbat meal; a weekly class and discussion; a volunteer day. While you may not convince all Birthright alums to participate, even attracting a quarter could mean transformating the face of today's young Jewry in America.
The writer wishes to note that he did not drink on his Birthright trip and that there are 40 young Jews who are willing to testify on his behalf - not least of all because the evidence that he has against them is far graver by comparison. So can’t we all just get along? Follow him on Twitter @RabbiShmuley.