A New Introduction to My Homeland

March 13, 2016Lavi Hoffmann

The Journal of Youth Engagement asked 8 authors to respond to a question that’s been on our minds. Read their responses, and let us know what you think.

The concept of home and homeland has been central to Judaism from our very beginnings as a people and as a religion. As a people we are known as Israel, and we also maintain a sacred connection to the place known as Israel. Our relationship with Israel has a long history in our texts, traditions, rituals, calendars and experiences. We want our youth to develop a strong understanding and connection to the land and people of Israel, in part to deepen their relationship to Judaism more broadly.

When it comes to teaching our youth about Israel, how do we foster both a deep love and a nuanced understanding of the issues at the same time? How and when do we teach a view of Israel to our children that embraces her beauty and history, her challenges and shortcomings? How do we equip our youth to learn, to enquire, and to develop their own informed understanding of her complexities? How do we teach the full story while fostering a love for our homeland?

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Growing up in Israel, I visited almost all the places that groups from Birthright, Masa and other organizations visit – many times. During those visits I was with fellow Israelis who, like me, didn't find much significance in being at these historic sites. Masada, the Western Wall and the Dead Sea had always been a natural part of our horizon. That changed when I led NFTY in Israel and URJ Kesher Birthright trips. As a guide for young people who were walking the streets, experiencing the views and the country for the first time, I found myself on a journey, seeing Israel through their eyes. I began to rethink, and gain a new understanding of my personal connection to Israel, my home.

I remember standing on the Jerusalem tayelet (promenade) with a NFTY group, looking out over the Old City and East Jerusalem, trying to explain the complicated situation – what they know as “the conflict”, but what we simply know as life in Jerusalem. I realized, as a young Israeli who lived in the country his whole life, that most of these American teens were hearing this information for the first time. That’s when it struck me. I had a huge responsibility and the potential to shape the way young Jewish Americans would understand and think about Israel. At first, I was a bit scared. I felt I had to be careful about what I said and how I said it. It was then that I realized the essence of having someone like me teaching about Israel and helping to establish a personal connection with the country for these teens, rather than having the media be their main source of information.

It was clear that we wouldn’t be able to cover every aspect of Israel in the short span of our trip, and I told the students not to hesitate and feel free to contact me about any thoughts that came to mind. A few months later, I was thrilled when several participants from the trip reached out with questions about current events in the country. This is why I believe that when educating about Israel, it is important to build a real relationship that has a ”face.” 

Lavi Hoffmann was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. Growing up, he was involved in the Reform Jewish community through Kol Haneshama synagogue in Jerusalem, participating in youth group, and attending Israeli Reform camps as both a camper and staff member. Lavi has staffed URJ programs in Israel including NFTY in Israel and URJ Kesher Birthright, and has been a participant in URJ’s Roswell Klal Yisrael Fellowship for global leadership development. He is currently a Roswell Lech Lecha Fellow, serving as a joint shaliach with URJ Camp Harlam and the Jewish Federation of Greater Metro West NJ.

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