Israel is not an easy place to call home. The challenges are immense, both security related and socially. I would be lying if I said the thought of returning to America never crossed my mind. My children, all under the age of six, have already seen more than their fare share of war. The terror threat is constant, even during “lulls”, and as a parent, one constantly worries. The mainstream media compounds these challenges by constantly blaming Israel for, well, literally, everything that goes wrong in the world (we were blamed for the recent terror attacks in Paris). Even with all of these challenges and dangers, I remain here. I remain here in the only homeland of the Jewish people. It’s the place where French Jews are calling their home after fleeing anti-semitism. It’s the place where Jews of the former Soviet Union call home and are free to be Jewish. It’s a place where the lost tribes of both India and Ethiopia call home. It’s the place the North African Jews came to when they were expelled from their host countries. I must continue to live here to ensure the survival of the Jewish people. The video clip of the “send-off” at Ben Gurion Airport is testimony to the real Israel. We are, at the end of the day, one family. It’s what has kept the Jewish people together for thousands of years. From what I have read, Ezra “got” this. His love for Israel was deep and strong, and wise beyond his years, he discovered it at such an early age. Continue to visit. There are many options: Birthright, Masa, Young Jewish Professionals. The options are endless. The choice is yours. Build your bond with Israel today.
https://www.facebook.com/theisraelproject/videos/10154602929237316/