Because I'm a Jew, I'm eligible for birthright (an organization that sends Jews to Israel for free) and becuse my older sister is an Israeli fanatic who wants me to be in touch with my Jewish roots. Also my mom was born in Israel.
I really don't want to go but i had trouble disagreeing with the argument "but it's free" so at everyone's nagging I applied for the trip, I wanted to sabatogue my application but my heart wasn't in it, but out of respect to my family who felt it was really important, i answered the questions in a way that made it sound like i actually wanted to go.
Now the trip's a couple weeks away, and what can i say, it doesn't interest me. I'd like to see places of the world i've already been and i've been to Israel before twice (when I was 6 and 8) and I feel guilty because i'll bet there were jews who actually wanted to go on the trip. I think even though it's free, i lose a deposit if i don't go.
2007-12-26 14:43:35 · 17 answers · asked by sophomrecritic 2 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Israel
I'm 24 but i have a good memory for my childhood and i remember everything very vividly. I want to see someplace new. My mom's parents were born in Persia, so i think that's just as much home to me. I also am fairly religious (conservative) in Judaism, but I believe what's important is promoting religious tolerance here in America and not concerning ourselves with Israel. Israel was needed back in the day when Jews weren't accepted elsewhere but now we can live in peace with other Americans.
2007-12-27 05:10:31 · update #1
You can still go to other places where you have never been to also. This trip is free so you have nothing to lose from it besides you can probably appreciate the trip more then the previous times you have been to Israel since you are older... Enjoy!!
2007-12-27 04:02:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I can say is if you don't go you are fool because if you want to travel exciting places in the world that are a lot of fun Israel is the place (the summer I was there when I was 17 was amazing). Tel Aviv alone is enough for a young person looking to have fun would be enough. But include in that of course Jerusalem and cool places like Haifi, Tiberius, and Eliat - you will not find better places to visit in the world. I have travel to two dozen countries outside of the United States and I have never regretted any of my trips to Israel or felt I did have a time of my life there.
Good Luck!!!
2007-12-27 01:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you should pass up on the trip. You clearly don't want to go so if you end up giving in, you'll just feel resentful the entire time, and be in a bad mood, which won't be much fun for the others around you.
There are plenty of people who would love to go to Israel and I think they deserve the place more than you, given what you've said. Presumably, if you're old enough to travel without your parents, you are old enough to express your opinions.
Don't waste another minute. Tell your family that you are not going, and inform the organisation running the trip, so that someone else can benefit from your decision.
2007-12-26 23:36:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, and although it might sound cruel, I think it’s better when people like you stay at home or go elsewhere...
Why?
Well, as you already have mentioned, there are lots of Jewish people in the world who would give away one of their hands to be once in their life in Israel.
And not only Jewish people, many not well off people from so-called Catholic countries like Brazil save money their whole life to be able to afford a trip to Israel ONCE in their life...
You don’t want to go, for you Israel means nothing... so you should have been clear from the start, as most probably you occupy a seat somebody else would have done everything for to be in your place.
I mean it’s pretty unfair towards others.
Maybe your family would have been a little sad, but they would have accepted your decision not to go.
Ask in the agency if you maybe could give your seat to somebody else... I am pretty sure that they have a waiting list for the case that somebody can’t go on the trip because of justified reasons, such as illness, family death or something else.
Maybe your family knows some doctor who could certificate that you are unable to travel due to ¿¿...??
I guess the moment has come to be honest with your family.
You talk now and stay at home or you go and shut up.
Personally I think that you are quiet immature, as although Israel does not inspire you many things and although you seem to have been there when you were a little boy, you as a Jewish person should give it a chance.
I mean it’s totally different to come to Israel with your family when you are a little child or as a youngster together with people around your own age.
I think that you will miss so much fun when you refuse to go...
But anyway, after all maybe you do not deserve this experience... who knows, once in your life you will be pretty sorry to have thrown this opportunity away dude...
Hope you take the right decision.
2007-12-26 21:53:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anita P 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Look, I just came from Israel about 2 weeks ago...it was an amazing trip!!! I am sure u won't regret it! There are so many places to see! I'd recomand the Bahai Gardens in Haifa (if u get a chance, go eat at the "Faces" restaurant, the food there is delicious and the waiters really really nice) go to Tiberia, it is really really nice to see, and of course, don't leave without visiting Jerusalem! You'll enjoy seeing all that with an adults eye! It is amazing!!!
I am planing another trip there...hopefully this summer sometime...:)
Enjoy it! And let us know how´s it been!
2007-12-27 07:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by Hope x 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
somethings you got to do even though you dont want to.everything is already settled the trip is mapped out before you ....you r gonna back out now its not like you are getting married its only a trip......
and what a long strange trip its been for me ive been in israel 25 years now !!
2007-12-26 18:50:22 · answer #6 · answered by greengrass44444 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i live in Israel now for more then 12 years since i was 9.5 and when i go on trips at vection time its diffrent for me bec am older i might have seen them when i was on school trips or when ever when ur older the fun is alot diffrent then when ur small ur mind is more opened and u understand more and u can see alot more and learn
2007-12-26 17:53:08 · answer #7 · answered by shlomothewise 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Since it is only a few weeks away, it is kind of hard to back out now, unless you could find someone to take your place.
You do not say how old you are. Maybe you will find some things to interest you now that you did not appreciate when you were 6 and 8.
2007-12-26 14:56:38 · answer #8 · answered by hamrrfan 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Actually, if you have been to Israel before, I think you are NOT eligible for Birthright.
2007-12-26 17:07:19 · answer #9 · answered by Amy W 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
If you don't want to go, then don't go, and don't worry about the deposit. Better to lose the money than do something that will make you unhappy.
2007-12-26 14:47:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋