Bus 935 says See you Later to our Israelis

Taglit Birthrigh Israelt: Bus 935 was graced with the presence of eight amazing Israeli soldiers. These individuals did not take long to become a staple within our group. Thanks to Audrey and Dirk’s innovative ice breaker activity, there was a millisecond of the “awkward get to know you” phase.  Each Israeli had an astonishing story and a level of maturity that cannot be matched. At birth, each Israeli is thrust into a land with Palestinian conflict, controversy, and the haunting fact that they will be deployed into the Israeli Defense Forces once completed with high school.

                These soldiers immediately assimilated into our small community and became fantastic friends of ours. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of our new friends was their ability to converse with us effectively using near perfect English with a strong Israeli accent, of course. While speaking English, they were also able to connect with us in aspects of music, movies, and pop culture. Needless to say, it was easy and most importantly refreshing to connect with the Israelis. Along with connecting through American culture, we were able to connect with the Israelis by revealing our once dormant Hebrew education. Singing popular Hebrew songs learned from past Hebrew camps and Hebrew school and showing we had some sort of Hebrew education did not go unnoticed. The Israeli soldiers were also an important aspect of really seeing Israel. Along with the authentic Judaism we found in the holy land of Israel, the soldiers were a vehicle in getting the full Israeli experience.

                Five days later, we had to allow the Israelis to leave us and return to their busy lives. It was an exceptionally emotional goodbye. Knowing that these people the same age as us will have to go back to their respective army bases to continue training and possibly embark on combat missions is terrifying. If we could, we would fly them back to Michigan and keep them in our lives. During the goodbye the soldiers were embraced by the participants with tears pouring from their eyes. It was amazing to see the effect that the dismissal of the soldiers had on the participants. The relationships that we built with the soldiers will stick with us for years to come. We each had acquired eight brand new friends and formed connections with people half a world away.

For me, it will be hardest to leave our Israeli security guard, Ron. Since day one I have connected with Ron. He has been through the army (through hell and back) and is an amazing Israeli. I have never had a good friend that carries a rifle on him at all times, but needless to say, I feel safe when I am around him. Along with the eight soldiers, we will all miss Ron dearly and will anxiously await his visit to the United States.

-Robert Sallen