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However, the "Free Trip to Israel" program appeals to two groups of American Jews: 1) Religious youths whose families can't afford to send them to Israel on vacation and 2) Leftwing ISM sympathizers who use "Birthright" free trips as a way of ripping off a free ticket from the eeeeevil Zionists and then go on to Gaza to serve as "human shields" for terrorists.
The program was never designed for the "ultra-Orthodox" and therefore the primarily leftist, secular organizers of these tours are not equipped to handle the particular requirements of this group.
My son went to Israel on a "Birthright" tour, ostensibly for "Orthodox" students, but according to him, they visited mixed beaches and other sites not particularly apropriate for religious Jews. Thank G-D, when my son's "Birthright" tour ended, he entered a "hesder" yeshiva (which combines Torah study with military training) and then joined the IDF.
Other "Birthright" participants, like Adam Shapiro, need I say more?
My youngest daughter wants to go to Israel on this program next year. She is an impressionable, easily influenced teenager, so I am concerned about negative impact this might have. However, she really wants to take advantage of the program in order to visit her sister in Safed.
If there was no age limit, I'd go myself! Maybe someone can start a program for parents of IDF soldiers.
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I wonder at the notion that joining the IDF and defending the Jewish nation against those who seek to destroy it and all its inhabitants constitutes "spiritual ruin."
Well, my prayers for your son. I don't understand the Ultra-Orthodox--who would want to live in Israel but not fight to defend her?--but I am a Christian and far from the intricacies of Jewish faith and politics. I just pray for a secure and faithful Israel.
Which is a good thing, no?
My son went to Israel on a "Birthright" tour, ostensibly for "Orthodox" students, but according to him, they visited mixed beaches and other sites not particularly apropriate for religious Jews.
There's "Orthodox" and there's "ultra-Orthodox" and there's "Haredi," and there is no authoritative definition of where the lines are drawn. If you're that particular, you should check things out more carefully.
This seems like an easily fixable problem. The more Orthodox could have their own tours. I know the Chabad Rabbi in my area is planning on doing a Birthright trip with local kids. In terms of Adam Shapiro, let's not waste our energy worrying about that self hating jerk off. There are much more positive things for us to do.
My co worker just came back from a birth right trip. He loved it.
How old are these girls? It seems that they are raised to be too trusting of anything that seems to have a "Rabbinic" stamp of approval and have a hard time asserting themselves when challenged.
This highlights the need for parents to go over plans with their children, check them out and discuss issues that are likely to come up. It surprises me that parents would send their teens on such a trip without even knowing who the sponsors or counselors would be.
SEE ALOUETTE that ticket
Let Israel draft you start program for parents of IDF soldiers
NOW YOU THINKING