To live as a Jew

When someone asks about or mentions Israel, I always feel a rush of emotions. There are triggers that make me giddy with excitement, triggers that give me goosebumps, triggers that make me sad. I have been fortunate enough to visit Israel 7 times. One of the first things I always mention is the energy of Israel. There’s just something in the air that is evident as soon as one steps off the plane, almost a spiritual caffeine. In some ways, my identification with Israel shapes my identity as an American. My father often tells stories of high holiday services where the rabbi would not continue with the service until enough money had been raised for Israel. He understood that without Israel, American Jewry, and more importantly all Jews could not survive.