A Suspended State

Yesterday, all of us were in the Federation for the Solidarity Rally. Congressmen and civilians alike applauded us as it was announced that we would be leaving for Israel in 48 hours. News stations interviewed us. Amanda could barely keep us contained because of our excitement. 24 hours later, everything has come crashing down around us.

Last night, news began to trickle in. Baltimore, Boston, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, LA- all cancelled. In our group chat, we started worrying. We went to sleep knowing that our day would be full of packing. By the morning, eight of the ten cohorts had cancelled. We feared the worst. I sent a Facebook message to Amanda.

Arielle: Amanda, are we still going?

Amanda: An email will be coming soon.

And then we all went into panic mode. An hour later, our worst fears came true. In 24 hours, we will not be on a plane to Israel. We will not be 30,000 feet in the air, trying to sleep in order to combat the fatigue that will come with the first day at the Dead Sea. Our feet will be firmly planted on New Jersey soil. Without our Israeli brothers and sisters.

Everyone’s reaction was basically the same: anger. We wanted to scream, punch walls, curl up into balls and cry ourselves to sleep. For the past six years, our Diller cohorts have never had this issue. But Diller 7 is unique. And we’re going to deal with it.

There is a silver lining, though. We’re receiving the ultimate Hanukkah gift: we’re spending part of the holiday in the Holy Land. Tentatively, we will now go to Israel from December 20-January 2.

Right now, we’re trying to find new plans. Will a smaller group go to Israel tomorrow anyway? Will we meet some other North American cohorts instead? Will we all go on a cruise together? Will we go to another country together? These are just some of the ideas that have been tossed around in our private Facebook chat. But for now, we’re awaiting another update from Federation.

How do I feel personally? I’m really, really angry. I want to cry. I want to lock myself in my room and not leave until school starts. But that’s just not logical. Instead, I’m trying to keep positive. In an attempt to cope, I’ve made a list of seven positives (because we’re Diller 7, get it??) regarding our trip:

1.       When we go in December, our trip is going to be so much more powerful because we’ve waited so long.

2.       It will not be unbearably hot in December.

3.       It’s going to be a great reprieve from the freezing New Jersey winter.

4.       Israel on Hanukah!

5.       We’ll be in Israel when Seth and Micaela turn 18…one day apart from each other!

6.        The current situation will be resolved, and we’ll be able to see much more of the country.

7.       At least we still get to go.

The next few hours, days, and weeks are going to be stressful, crazy, and hectic, but I know that we will get through it. We are Diller 7, and after this news, we can get through anything.

-Arielle Dror/DJ Drora the Explora