I'm Going To Israel!!!

I am so excited.  My family will be joining our synagogue on a JUF Mission at the end of the year.  I had never wanted to go to Israel - I didn't know much about the county, its history and struggle for independence or the biblical history surrounding the land.  Now, of course, it's a different story!  With everything I have been learning this past year I can hardly wait to set foot on Israeli soil.

When we first decided to go, my kids told me how much I would love it there.  They both went with their eight grade classes and know that I will love the country, the people, the food and the excitement.  They also know how much I will appreciate the culture, the historical sites and the religious experiences at this point of my life.  This is an opportunity that I feel so honored and privileged to be able to partake.

There is so for me to learn!  Biblical history, early Israeli history and the previous ruling nations, and the political history leading to the establishment of Israel as a Jewish State; as well as the political structure, the political temperament and the political battles both internally and externally with the Palestinians and surrounding Middle East.  My knowledge in all these areas is lacking and I am scrambling to learn as much as I can before we go. 

I would have liked to have read the other books of the Tanakh before going, but given the amount of time it would take to internalize all the necessary history, I am instead reading my son's eight grade Jewish History Books.  I had taken a class years ago on Jewish History as part of the Melton Adult Education Program.  There was so much to comprehend in such little time, without my having any previous background, that it was impossible for me to acquire very much of the facts.  Using the books from that class as a resource while studying the 8th grade books seems to be working well for me and at just the right level for me.  I will also finish reading the 1968 Israel 20thYear Anniversary United International Press issue that I started reading a few months ago.  I am also starting to read any current events in the papers, the editorials from Israeli Newspapers and the IDF Facebook page and website.  I have spent many hours already studying maps and reading tour guides.  It is very overwhelming for someone with such little knowledge, but I am trying to absorb as much as I can! 

I know a major goal will be for me to not only gain knowledge about the land and the history represented there but to gain a respect for Israel and an understanding of present day issues and challenges.  Politics never held my interest until the last several years so I am looking forward to understanding the political issues in Israel.  But I also hope to gain at least a little of what many people go to Israel for:  religion and piety.  Most of my adult life has been about logistics, academics, and about concrete ideas in general.   I  hope that I will be able to go beyond the academics and history during my time in Israel and be able to also have a more visceral experience and leave with a newly found soulfulness and spirituality within myself and for myself.

Before arriving in Israel, we will be spending a few days in Poland, both in Krakow and Warsaw.  We are staying in the old Jewish Quarter in Krakow, visiting Auschwitz, spending Shabbat morning in the synagogue in Warsaw with the Chief Rabbi of Poland and taking in as much Judaic history as possible.   As a family we will be seeing the movie, "The Book Thief" and going to an exhibit on Nazi propaganda that is here in Chicago before we leave.  I am trying to maximize the Jewish cultural, historical and religious experiences in any way that I can. 

While I may have limited access to a computer and Wi-Fi during the trip, I will certainly be taking notes for this blog on my impressions, my excitement, my discoveries and my emotions during this trip of a lifetime.   I hope you will share my thoughts with me in the upcoming weeks' posts but share my excitement for this trip right now!