Posted on September 5, 2010

Four years ago, I remember sitting in my kvutsah room on Fzy Ofek camp, and my leaders told me that they had just come back from the best 9 months of their lives and that, please g-d one day, I would be able to experience what they were talking about.

Now, we are here at the start of year course and I couldn’t be more excited to spend a year in one of the world’s most amazing places, learning the language, eating the food, listening to the music, meeting the people, helping vulnerable communities and experiencing life in the army. I will never take for granted how incredible it is that the Jews have their own state, and although peace has not yet been achieved, I have faith that it will be achieved.

We are all so lucky to be part of a youth movement, especially ones with such strong beliefs as FZY and Young Judea. It’s amazing to be in a place with so many other like-minded people who are all working towards a common goal; creating a secure and flourishing Jewish homeland. I love the fact that FZY is a pluralist movement and that people from such diverse backgrounds can come together with the same ideals, and use the best of their strengths to achieve their dreams.

I have often struggled to explain to others just how important the state of Israel is to the Jewish people. I have faced discussions with my classmates where I have not adequately been able to defend Israel. This year, I am going to learn exactly what it means, and when I go to university, I know that Year course will have given me the confidence, advocacy skills and information stand up for what I know to be the truth.

One matter close to the heart of every FZY chanich is that of the MIA’s, in particular Gilad Shalit. Last Saturday marked Gilad’s 24th birthday, and his 4th in captivity. Together, we must unite to raise awareness of this situation and do the most that we can to bring him back home.

I can’t tell you how excited I am for the next 9 months: meeting other young people from all over the world, learning, having fun and forming a close relationship with this special country.