It’s Monday Morning, But That Doesn’t Mean Goodbye

It’s Monday morning, and I unwillingly wake up. Today is the day I’ll have to say goodbye to the girl who has been staying with me for nearly two weeks, and has become a part of my family. Luckily for me, I’m on break, so I have an extra chance to say goodbye to the twenty one Israelis who have made me eat, sleep, and breathe diller for the last few days. I’ve grown to love them, to know them, and to joke with them in the short amount of time they’ve been here. It blows me away that I feel this attached. I know goodbye will be hard, but I decide to leave with Yuval to set out for Whippany, one last time with my Israeli during NAS, to say goodbye.

As we loaded up Yuval’s luggage into our car, I couldn’t help but wonder two things: 1. Did I affect her, as much as she affected me? and 2. Did I make the most of every opportunity I had with Yuval? Between taking Yuval to Dunkin’ Donuts, (and then of course Starbucks to compare the two,) the 911 memorial down the road, Red Mango, The Brookside Diner, the local ice skating rink, my temple, and many other places, I look back on the entire time spent with her, as a success. I know that personally, I’m forever changed by her coming, and I can’t wait to meet up with her again in Israel. I learned so much from her - the way she speaks, the way she jokes, and the way she lives. In her short time here, Yuval is not just a country, but a way of life. She taught me that after being in Diller she truly appreciates Israel as a Jewish State, and in three months it will be necessary I experience it too.

Upon entering the Federation and realizing I was seeing these Israeli Dillers for the last time in America, I took advantage of the precious last few moments I had with them. We hugged, talked, laughed, and cried our way through the last twenty minutes of their time in America. We reflected on the various moments of NAS we will never forget. For example, the moment the Israelis arrived and ran into the Federation, as the Americans stood their very awkwardly and and clearly unsure of how to react to twenty three Israelis who had just gotten off a twelve hour flight, or of the Saturday night during the Shabbaton where we danced and sang in a crowded space, most likely fit for only about twenty or so people, or even the night before when we gathered at the Resnick’s for one last mesiba.

As the final clicks on cameras, waves goodbye, and tears drifted away, we knew it was time to go. As we waved back to the Israelis one last time and turned to walk to our cars, we all felt as though a part of us was missing. On the drive home I found myself frequently checking the back seat to find that no one was back there and it was simply just a feeling that someone was back there, because Yuval wasn’t actually there. In fact, the entire day we found ourselves having to remind each other over and over again that there would not be a program, we would not be meeting up with the Israelis later, and we would be seeing them in one hundred and five days.

One hundred and five days. Here we were, Americans without our Israeli counterparts. Israelis we’d known for less than two weeks, and yet, Americans spent the entire day moping around as if our best friends were moving to Jupiter. The Israeli Dillers made more of an impact on us than I ever thought to be possible. These next one hundred and five days are going to be filled with excitement as the day we live for comes closer. Personally, I’ve never been to Israel, and I’m more than excited and honored in the fact that I will get to spend my first time with my Dillers. They mean the world to me, have taught me so much, and have truly changed me. This isn’t goodbye just yet. We will be seeing the Israelis soon enough in Israel, and none of us can wait.

Overall, the North American Seminar was the happiest, craziest, most emotional, and most learned from event that I’ve ever taken part in. Before the Israelis arrived, I remember thinking a lot about how I thought the Israelis might change us, but I never considered how much they’d change us. The NAS has brought us closer to our sister group, but it has also brought us closer to each other as well. Through the seminar, I’ve learned that no matter what I can always lean back on my Dillers. They’re absolutely amazing and I love each and every one of them, because without them, Diller just wouldn’t be as special.

The entire NAS experience wouldn’t have been possible without the major schlepping, late nights, and concern of our parents. They not only went to work each day, but made sure we focussed long enough so we worked as well, AND that our Israelis had a good time while being here. We hope you know how much we love you, appreciate you, and thank you.

In addition, we have to thank the staff - Leah, Keren, Shiri, Noga, Max, Addi, Aliza, and Zohar, for diligently working to make sure Diller 5 had the best time possible. Without you all, Diller wouldn’t be diller. Despite us sometimes being too loud, too wild, or having too much ruach, you still managed to keep us on track. With all your commitment and sacrifices, you’ve managed to make Diller an extremely important part of our lives, and we will be forever thankful.

Achim Forever.

Sunday: Our Last FULL Day

Early Sunday morning, Diller 5 arose from their beds, ready to tackle Israel Day at Temple Sinai. The Israelis got to plan and execute a massive amount of activities for the kids to do, all pertaining to learning about Israel. The Americans quickly jumped on board to help out, and with our new knowledge about Israel and Israeli teens, we too were beyond excited to share with these kids. After sharing all morning and a lunch to refuel, we sat all of the freshman and sophomore students down to have a really special talk - a Diller talk. We spoke from our hearts about the Diller program that has and still currently is changing how we feel about Judaism, and the Jewish people. We tried as best we could to convince these kids that although now they may not have any type of opinion on Israel or Judaism in general, after being in Diller, they would. Even the Israelis, who live in Israel, formed new opinions on their own country after being a part of the Diller program. It was so much fun spending time with the students of Temple Sinai, but also spending time with all the Dillers. Each of us had our own special role, and it was really nice to be working together, as a group.

When we returned from Temple Sinai and back to the Federation, we separated as Americans and Israelis for a Ma'agal. As far as the American Ma'agal went, we discussed the NAS trip in its entirety: what we learned, what we were challenged by, and what we’re going to take away from this experience. To sum up everything about our Ma'agal? Amazing.

Shortly after ending, the Americans dressed their best to set up the farewell dinner, while the Israelis took a trip to the scouts.The farewell committee kept us on track while we folded napkins, spread tablecloths, set up center pieces, wrote out and organized place cards, and much, much more. The farewell committee did an amazing job, and we all hope we did their vision justice.

Just before the Israelis came back from their quick trip, something unexpected happened. The Americans and JCs went into a side room and played the games the Israelis had shown us on those first few days of the trip. And that’s the moment I realized that the Israelis made an impact on us. The fact that we were playing Israeli games without the Israelis, made me realize that the Israelis had taught us so much. From their language, to a basic day at school, to little games to keep us entertained, the Israelis had made their impact on us. And we loved every minute of it.

Before the Israelis arrived, and just as parents were starting to come in, the American Dillers decided it was the perfect time to do an Achim dance! The Achim Dance is definitely a Metro-Le'Zion trademark. The Dillers create one big circle, arms around everyone, and go crazy! We shout, we dance; it’s a true diller party! Afterwards, we gathered around the incoming Israelis who we hugged and kissed as if we hadn’t seen them in years, but really it had only been a couple of hours. We told them to quickly change, as we blocked the entrance to the farewell dinner we had so diligently prepared. We waited for our parents and our Israelis, and together, we entered the Farewell Dinner.

With Diller appearances by nearly all the Dillers, a quick, smoothly executed, text study, a slideshow, gifts to the host families, and Leah’s birthday, the farewell dinner was an overall success. Also, seeing the staff rock out to Leah’s birthday edition of “Glad You Came” was pretty hilarious. Thanks to the farewell committee for putting everything together and making our last dinner with the Israelis in NAS, an absolutely memorable, and amazing experience.

After the dinner, we were all invited to the Resnick’s home for one last Diller NAS party. We laughed, danced, and sang the night away, wishing it could last forjust a little longer. We loved the hosting the Israelis, and would do it all over again in a heart beat. We learned so much from them, and they truly made me realize what an important and amazing thing Israel is. I will never forget the times I spent with Yuval Dafadi, or any of the other Israelis. They all made a mark in me that I will never forget. At this moment, I feel so passionate about Diller. Diller has taught me, and my fellow cohorts what it is to be Jewish. It doesn’t matter your sect, how much Hebrew you know, or whether or not you live in Israel, but how connected you feel. The spirituality of Judaism extends far out of Israel, allowing Jews around the world to be Jews despite wherever they may live. Diller is a life altering experience that has put a new perspective into my life.

On the last night, Yuval Dafadi and I started talking. She asked me a question that I really had to take the time to think about. Would I ever make Aliyah/move to to Israel? After Diller, and everything I have learned, I thought hard about this question. Would I? Do I feel that this new sense of Judaism has pushed me to experience living in Israel? My answer is yes, and no. Yes, I’d want to live in Israel some day, (but don’t tell my parents, I think they’d be heart broken...), but no, it isn’t because I feel more or less Jewish by doing so. Although that realization may seem like nothing, it is truly everything. My entire Jewish life, I assumed that people made Aliyah to Israel because they were more Jewish, or it made them feel more Jewish. After meeting nineteen Jewish teenagers from Israel, I realized that this was not the case. Israel, like Diller, accepts Jews of every kind. Israel is a place like no other on Earth. It is the only Jewish state, and as a Jew, I am proud of Israel. I realized that after these Israelis had spent time in America, they too realized that Israel is a special place. I will never forget logging onto Facebook and reading Chen Wolfson’s status: “I love AMERICA! But my home is ISRAEL!” This stuck with me. The fact that these teenagers could feel such nationalism for their country amazed me. Like any other American, I’m proud to live in a place that accepts all people, and is a mixing pot of every kind of culture, but I definitely do not have the spirit for my country as the Israelis have for Israel. So, back to my original question, although the future is unknown and I’m not sure where it will take me exactly, right now, in this moment, after NAS. The Israelis changed me more than I ever imagined or expected. They are amazing, I love every single one of them, and I will never forget them. Party in Israel!! :)

Halfway through Diller, I feel as though an aliyah could be in my future.

Lots of Diller Love,

RB

Leah's Birthday Poem

To Leah:

Every time we come to Diller we hang with Leah,

It makes us so excited cuz we can’t wait to seeya,

Hangin with each other and learnin’ bout the Jews,

Ending each session with some time to schmooz,

And now we have Israelis for one more night,

Leah’s so excited - now she can sleep tight!

In addition to this, Leah’s laugh is so catchy,

With her sweet style, she’s always so matchy!

She keeps us on track, all the time,

It’s so easy to talk about her, I can even make it rhyme,

She’s funny, she’s a diller, she’s a leader, she’s a friend,

Any problem we have, we know that she can mend,

The messages between us count to 284,

But this is just the beginning... there will surely be more,

You always check up on us to see how we’re doing,

Because when we’re together, you know something is brewing,

Hey wait a minute Diller, mesiba at Leah’s tonight?!

Just kidding you guys, she really needs her sleep, alright?

Leah’s so cool, we’re so glad she’s in our lives,

Everyday at Diller she’s feeding us good vibes,

At our magaal lilah with the candles fully lit,

And with you by our side, Leah, WE’RE DILLER AND WE KNOW IT!

Leah, we love you so much, and that’s all we wanted to say,

Oh and there’s something else... HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!

Friday - March 30

Friday morning started bright and early at 8am in Whippany. Me and the other Israelis began the day with a Ma’gal boker, and a really fun activity! Even though it was so fun, we were all anxious to get on the bus to the Willowbrook Mall for some good American shopping. We immediately got in partners and ran around the mall going to as many stores as possible in just two short hours! We got back on the bus with pounds and pounds of clothes, shoes, and accessories, and headed to Lester Senior Housing where we ran Kabbalat Shabbat for the seniors there. Zohar and Adi planned great activities for us to do with them! We got into small groups and talked about how we celebrate Shabbat and shared our personal experiences.

Next, we played a great game where Bar, Zach, and Anais pretended to be famous Jewish people looking to ”get married” to the Shabbat Bride who was being played by one of the senior residents. Zach won in the end and was lucky enough to marry a senior woman! Also, each Israeli gave each senior a custom-made flowerpot, which we made last Sunday on Good Deeds Day!

After some quality time with the great seniors, we went back to the federation and surprised Dar with a birthday cake for her 16th birthday!! While all this was going on, I (Marisa) was preparing for my brothers bar mitzvah services! When Yuval got home around 4:30, we both got dressed up and headed to my aunt and uncle’s house for a Friday night dinner, and then we left for my brother Adam’s Friday night service! Yuval really enjoyed meeting my whole family, even though it was probably really overwhelming.

Friday was a great day for both of us, even though we didn’t get to see each other until later at night.

We are both soooo sad that the NAS is coming to an end in just one more day. It feels like it just started yesterday, and no one wants it to be over so soon. However, it is hard to be so upset when we talk about the amazing trip to Israel coming up this summer! The NAS was an amazing experience and we can’t wait to continue making new friends and memories this summer.

- Marisa Parnes and Yuval Moriah