As any new Oleh will tell you, living in Israel during these times can be trying not only for us but also for our relatives and friends back in the old country. We all know how the media often portrays Israel, and many of the people back where we came from do not know how to separate the hyped up media coverage from what life is really like on a daily basis.
Every Friday before Shabbat, we try to take a few minutes to call my grandmother back in the US to say, “Shabbat Shalom.” Now, you have to understand that my grandmother has never been to Israel and her Jewish education could be described as somewhat limited. What she knows about Israel is thanks to Fox News, CNN, The New York Times, and the rest.
Every time we spoke to my grandmother last summer, she asked how things were in the warzone. I used to think she was being humorous, but eventually I began to understand that she was asking because she truly thought that we lived in the middle of Gaza. One Friday afternoon, I responded to her question and asked, “Grandma, where exactly do you think we live?” I went on to explain that while Gaza was not that far from Modi’in in driving terms, we were not actually living next door.
Grandma was actually surprised at this when I told her that we live in a modern city with movie theatres, parks, train station, and even a mall.Until this point she actually believed that I had moved my wife and two kids into the middle of a war zone. She told me that she just assumed that I lived there because that was all she ever saw on TV about Israel.
Grandma still won’t come and visit, which is a bit of a sore subject. At least she now knows that Israel is more than we see on TV.
Why do I bring up this story about poor Grandma? Sadly, the same misconceptions about Israel exist at almost every age and in every city across the world. On a recent trip to the United States, I had the opportunity to speak with a lot of people about the current situation in Israel. My answer was always the same. I explained that while the recent events have made us more cautious and perhaps even scared, that we would never trade it for anything.
I then went on to describe the amazing aspects of living in Israel. Most of these people, many of whom are active members in their Jewish communities, had no idea that Israel was not just one large terrorist attack. This universally skewed viewpoint saddened me, but also made me appreciate the education that I received and that I continue to try to provide to my students.
As an online teacher, I have the opportunity to teach students in all different locations and with various levels of formal Jewish education. I realized early on that I had both an opportunity, and even a responsibility, to show students the amazing side of Israel. I coordinate and teach classes in a wide variety of secular and Judaic subjects and it is amazing how many questions our online students have about what it is like to live in Israel. We make an effort to show students what Israel has to offer, and what it is like to live in this amazing country.
In one of our Hebrew language classes for example, we actually took the students on a virtual tour through the famous Machane Yehuda market. For many of the students in this group, this was their first exposure to “every day” Israeli life. During another class, we were able to arrange for our students to go on a virtual visit to MESH, a hi-tech and small business startup hub in Modi’in. Our business students were able to see first-hand how much innovation and development happens right here in Israel. It is these views of Israel that are so important to teaching true Jewish values.
While these online experiences may be unique to this type of teaching, classroom teachers and parents have a responsibility as well to make sure that our students/children have an accurate picture of Israel. Teachers can take a few minutes to educate students about how to separate the accurate reports from the sensationalistic media coverage that runs rampant in the world media.
They can educate their students about the innovation that has taken place here in Israel. While WAZE may be the most famous innovation, there are numerous other examples of medical and technological breakthroughs that were created here in Israel. Jewish students of all ages should be proud that Israel was involved in these creations.
At home, parents can help as well. Introduce your children to Israeli products and talk about Israel in the home. Of course, the best way for your children to appreciate Israel is by coming. While this can be an expensive proposition, there are all sorts of missions and organizational trips that can sometimes help to defray the costs. I can honestly say that my first trip to Israel for my Bar Mitzvah would become a life changing experience. Once I saw Israel, I was hooked.
While life in Israel does come with challenges, I would never trade living here for a minute. Despite the fact that Grandma will not come to visit, I have experienced first-hand how amazing this country and its people really are. Those of us who have committed to making Israel our home, need the rest of the Jewish world to stand with us proudly. These efforts start from day one, and continue forever.
Aryeh Eisenberg is the CEO and General Manager of Bonim B’Yachad, a virtual pedagogical platform which works together with schools and organizations to create the ideal online learning programs.