A change of plans in Israel

Ari Goldberg ]

Thanks to Tidewater Jewish Foundation, I studied during a gap year at Ruach Hanegev, located in the village of Retamim in the south of Israel.

Learning occurred early in the morning or late at night, but education through hiking was the best part. We visited Shiloh, Ben Gurion’s tomb, and the location where David fought Goliath. Each of these excursions took us through deserts, riverbanks, mountains, and countless springs. During our first hike, we learned about the founding of Israel and Ben Gurion’s hopes and dreams for this new country. The views and lessons were priceless, from navigation to Tanach and Navi.

We were encouraged to find our own museums and tiyuls (journeys) as well as to assimilate in the Israeli society. Perhaps that is what prompted me to take the next step – one that even I hadn’t seen coming.

When I came here, I did not want this land. I figured I would enjoy one year in Israel and then return to America and settle down. However, one class encouraged us to make Aliyah, and here I am, writing from Israel. I spent about six months working on Aliyah and, now I am close to enlisting in the IDF. This is a future I would never have dreamed of just one year ago, nor am I alone. A classmate finished Aliyah the same day as I did.

Making Aliyah does not mean feeling less loyal to my home country. I still preach the constitution and raise the American flag, as I always will. The camp leader agrees with my ideology, as do most of my teachers. While I can’t remember what brought me here, things happen and don’t go as planned. None of them would have been possible if not for Ruach Hanegev.