I was part of the second class of Ambassadors for Tolerance, the first to include members of the Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox movements. The time that I spent with my fellow ambassadors, here and in Israel, represents one of the most significant experiences I have ever had, and certainly one of the most influential in my forming my current opinions of both Judaism and Israel. Those who have participated in the program are the future leaders of Judaism, and Ambassadors for Tolerance broadened their views on religious and social concerns.

Prior to my trip to Israel with AFT I had never been to Israel. Many of my friends had gone with one youth group or another, but for a variety of reasons I never made the voyage. One of my principle concerns was that I would simply see Israel, but not experience Israel. My friends told me how moving it was when they climbed Massada for sunrise or how fun it was to shop along Ben Yahuda Street, but few of them spoke about meeting Israelis. They went to Israel, but did not truly experience Israel; eretz yisrael is nothing without am yisrael, the people of Israel. Ambassadors for Tolerance gave me the opportunity to learn about Israel through Israelis, something that I feel is far more valuable than sightseeing and is essential to truly understanding Israel.

In addition to learning about Israel, I learned about my Judaism and myself. It was the first time that I had truly been exposed to any Orthodox for a protracted period of time. My initial expectation was that there would be a great deal of tension within the group, but much to my joy there were no barriers; instead of making judgements about faith and observance we took the time to learn about each others' backgrounds and how we felt about Judaism, the peace process, and other topics. In some ways I believe that the time we spent preparing for the trip was the most valuable, we broke down many of the walls that previous generations erected. It was with my fellow travelers that I came to understand what being an Ambassador for Tolerance meant, not only did we have bridge the gap that exists between American Jewry and Israel but before doing that we had to overcome our own differences, and we did that.

My short trip to Israel with Ambassadors for Tolerance touched me in ways that I never imagined. I now feel a special bond to Israel, both the land and the people, that I never expected. Now, as I prepare to return to Israel this summer and study various immigrant groups, I recognize that without my experiences from the program I would never feel this way. It is my sincere hope that Ambassadors for Tolerance continues and that others may have the ability to share their experiences with their youth groups, synagogues, and anyone else willing to listen. In order for there to be a true Jewish community more students must have the same experience that I was afforded.

* The writer is a sophomore at the College of William and Mary.

Tevet 5760 - January 2000