Many Diaspora Jews send their sons and daughters to Israel for a post-high school year of Torah study (Shanah Alef). The practice has become common over the past 15-20 years and, in fact, a second year of study (Shanah Bet) is now not an unusual occurrence. In most cases, the child must beg, plead and annoy his or her parents into allowing the second year.
With that as a backdrop, I submit the following "Open Letter to Shanah Alef and Shanah Bet Parents".
Dear Parents,
I know you love your children and only want what is best for them. I know this because I love my incredible 
They actually listened to what the $20,000-per-year high school you paid for told them.
children and only want what is best for them as well.
I also know that your children have spent a lot of time recently trying to convince you to allow them to stay for a second or third year in the land promised to our forefathers.
I'm here to tell you that you should listen to them.
You should listen to them because I know you feel pain in your heart that you were never able to make Aliyah, even though you always knew it was the right thing to do.
You should listen to them because you sent them to Zionist yeshivas and day schools that preached the importance of Israel; and now your kids are showing you they actually listened to what the $20,000-per-year high school you paid for told them.
And you should listen to them because we all pray everyday to return to Zion, including a blessing we recite three times a day thanking G-d for "gathering the dispersed of His people."
Your kids are just trying to be gathered. Is that unreasonable?
Listen, dear parents, all those reasons are iron-clad and there is no disputing their importance. But those aren't the only reasons worth listening as your children - and I as their unofficial ombudsman - plead their case.
You see, Israel is not what you think it is; or better stated, Israel is a lot more than you think it is. Most of you want your children to come "home" for college. You sincerely believe that for them to earn a decent living, a university degree is a must. Luckily, I agree with you, as does Israel.
There are plenty of fine universities here, including one - the Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliya - that offers an all-English degree program. In fact, one of the employees of the PR firm I run here is a graduate of IDC. That's right, she earned an Israeli degree and is now gainfully employed by an international PR firm.
And if college isn't the reason, perhaps you just miss your child, and want him or her to be closer to "home". Well let me ask you: Is that fair? Do you really believe your son or daughter should come home just because you miss them? Perhaps you should begin focusing more of your attention on the ways your children can impact the world, rather than the ways in which they can impact you.
But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's simply a matter of money. You committed to a year in Israel, followed by four years in college, and that's it. Well, I understand that. After all, money is tight for everyone these days.
But have you checked into the cost difference between US colleges and Israeli colleges? I think you will be quite amazed. The IDC, for example, costs less than $15,000 per year - and that includes room and board. It's so much lower than US schools that you could even come to Israel for a visit or two each year and still pay less.
Finally, I suppose you want to make the case that US universities are academically superior to Israeli universities.
Regarding that, I am no expert, but I will tell you this: The whole world looks to Israel for technology innovation. The whole world looks to Israel for Torah. The whole world focuses on Israel and her current events and political 
Israel is a lot more than you think it is.
situation. The whole world looks to Israel's agriculture for the latest advances. The whole world looks to Israel for medical and scientific achievement.
Maybe US universities are superior, but I don't think you can make the case that they are so superior that you want to keep your children from building their lives in the land promised to our forefathers, do you?
I once spoke to a post-high school seminary here in Jerusalem and began the talk by asking: "How many of you want to make Aliyah?" Almost every one of the 40 girls raised her hand. And then I asked, "How many of you are going to be in Israel next year as well?" Two girls put up a hand.
The message was clear: If you leave Israel, it is exponentially more difficult to return and stay here.
My dear parents, you've done the tough part. You've shipped your children to Israel for the year. Now, do the easy part. Let them stay. Let them build their lives here from this early point. They will get a good education. They will find a good job. They will grow up to be good, Torah-observant Jews. They will meet a special future spouse. I'm telling you. It will be the best thing you ever did for them.
But most importantly, it will be the best thing you ever did for your future grandchildren.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Go'el Jasper
Concerned Parent