Part I: Birthright

Birthright has been both a terrific and challenging experience - probably way too much for one blog post.

Big picture highlights:
-  free trip
-  outstanding hearts and minds to share with
-  finding out that I still know how to make friends
-  getting to chill and travel with Marco
-  meeting wonderful and passionate Israeli friends
-  seeing the physical beauty of the landscape of Israel
- learning more about current and historical conflicts that have shaped the region
-  respectful debates
-  fun party opportunities
-  not a religious trip

Big picture lowlights:
-  not getting to learn enough about the Israeli government/the conflict between religious and secular populations
-  the Birthright agenda (i.e. "have Jewish babies")
-  guided processing, rather than having time to reflect alone or  in small groups
-  some questions being ignored or selectively answered
-  implicit messages equating Judaism and/or spirituality with Zionism

I'll throw some pictures up on picasa post-haste - can't wait to talk and write more about my experience in Israel with all of you.