ISRAEL, HOW MUCH DO I LOVE YOU?
Posted by Jane Taubenfeld Cohen on 3rd March and posted in Uncategorized
ארץ ישראל
אוי כמה אני אוהב אותך
ISRAEL, HOW MUCH DO I LOVE YOU
I am sitting on the bus in the middle of our first full day in Israel. We have spent the day with our Ironi Gimmel friends, the students from our sister school in Haifa. Each year, connections are made that are deep and lasting. This year, because of Facebook, Skype, and other technology, the students were already ‘friends’ before we arrived. Even with that, I want to write about something that we just witnessed on the bus.
Behind me, sat two girls, one from our school and one from Ironi Gimmel. They began to talk, to sing, to take videos together, when they simultaneously turned toward each other, gave each other a hug, and said,” I love you” They were in awe of how much they had in common as they struggled with their language differences. The adults around them were smiling, delighted with the unfolding friendship and the purity of the feelings the girls already have for each other. Sometimes, we think of the Boston-Haifa connection in terms of big ideas and big plans. But sometimes, the Boston Haifa connection is about two girls becoming friends sitting on a bus.
Coming to Israel is about so many experiences making up two weeks- the land, the people, the spirit, the bonding- but it is also about understanding that we are a part of the Jewish people and we are a part of the Jewish future and we are joined together with our brothers and sisters in Israel. It is meant to be a trip that lasts two weeks and carries into a lifetime.
A new friendship unfolding, a relationship with Israel unfolding… I am sure I will have more to share as the trip continues, but this poignant moment begged to be written down…
Jane Taubenfeld Cohen
Head of School
