By Rabbi Lee Diamond
“What an amazing place! Everyone is Jewish! Even the taxi drivers are Jewish! Even young children speak Hebrew!”While clearly not all of the taxi drivers are Jewish, one of the most overwhelming experiences for a Diaspora Jew visiting Israel is the sense of being in a Jewish majority in Jewish space and in the total Jewish environment which is Israel. And yes, children of all ages do speak Hebrew!
While it is somewhat inconvenient for some tourists that shops are closed on Shabbat or holidays, this too is a powerful statement to the Diaspora Jew. Here there is Jewish time as well as Jewish space. Sure, many Israelis are on the beach on Shabbat and holidays. Sure, other Israelis are hiking or traveling on these days! Sure, many Israelis are observing and celebrating the Shabbat and holidays by praying in Synagogues or celebrating at home. But the overall statement is that this is Jewish space and time. “Even our hotel is Kosher and observes the rules of Shabbat! Wow, this is clearly Jewish space and time.”
‘The calendar is Jewish.” Time is measured not only by the weekly Shabbat but by the High Holidays and Succot, and Chanukah, and Purim and Pesach and more and more.
Strangely enough, the Diaspora Jew often sees the “Jewishness” of Israel more clearly than the average Israeli. To the average “secular” Israeli it is only natural to live in Jewish time and space. There is nothing unique about this. “Well of course I speak Hebrew with my kids. What language would you have me speak? Of course my life cycle is governed by the Jewish calendar and holidays. This is my culture! Of course my child will marry a Jewish partner! Who else do you expect him/her to marry?” What is natural and so taken for granted by the average Israeli is so obviously Jewish and unique to many Diaspora Jews visiting Israel.
For the Diaspora Jew the Israel experience is about his/her Jewish identity. Israel serves as the environment or if you will, the laboratory, in which the Diaspora Jew explores personal Jewish identity and or growth. The Israel experience is less about Israel per se and more about feeling more strongly identified as a Jew.
Some have said that if you were to simply “drop” a Jewish tourist in Israel for two weeks or so without any tour program, itinerary or plan, the overwhelming message of Israel and of Jewish identity would make its natural impact.
Though there may be some truth in the above statement, there would also be, without a doubt, a major “missed opportunity.” In such a charged environment; at a moment of such high potential impact and motivation; at a moment so open for a life changing experience; at a moment of potential identity transformation, we must be ready to engage the moment and to engage the visitor by focusing on and entering into the a dialogue of heightened sensitivity related to Jewish identity. Potential moments like this are rare and unique and must be transformed into educational opportunities.
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